New Jersey City, NJ… The College of New Jersey men's basketball team (16-4, 11-2 NJAC) was defeated by New Jersey City University (16-4, 10-3 NJAC) on Saturday by a final score of 80-79. Niall Carpenter (Westampton, NJ/Westampton) led the Lions with 26 points.

The Lions were trailing 19-10 in the first half, however took the lead with a 17-7 run capped off by a fast break lay up from Carpenter. With over two minutes remaining the Lions were up by one and Jordan Glover (Trenton, NJ/Lawrenceville) knocked down a three pointer to make it a 38-34 advantage. Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) found Glover from beyond the arc and Glover remained locked in as he knocked down the trifecta to make it 41-36 Lions with over a minute to play in the first half. Glover tallied 14 points in the opening period, while Carpenter totaled 13. 

The second half was a back and forth battle, as neither side saw a lead bigger than six. The Gothic Knights were leading 61-60 with just over nine minutes to play and Carpenter found Randall Walko (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) and Walko hit the three and was fouled and converted on the rare four point play to put the Lions up three. On the ensuing possession James Julius hit the equalizer for the Gothic Knights. A couple of minutes later Walko knocked down two free throws, then after an NJCU miss Murdock Jr. grabbed the defensive rebound, went coast to coast and converted on the and one to put the Lions up 68-64. With just over four minutes remaining Robert Gordon hit a three for the Gothic Knights to go up 72-70. Murdock Jr. countered with a lay up, however the Gothic Knights hit back to back three pointers to take a 78-72 lead. Carpenter kept the Lions alive as he knocked down a triple to pull the Lions within 78-75. With 49 seconds left the Gothic Knights hit a free throw to go up 80-75, however Carpenter sank another three to keep the Lions in it. With 15 seconds to play the Gothic Knights missed both free throws, and Murdock Jr. was fouled on a strong take to the basket, however made one of two free throws, and the Gothic Knights held onto the win. 

Carpenter continued his solid season with 26 points on an efficient 9-16 shooting from the field including an impressive 6-8 from three point land. Murdock Jr. scored 17 points, tallied ten assists, and moved into sixth place on the program's all time point list as he now has 1,423 on his career. Walko scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Glover tallied 14 points and four rebounds.

The loss snaps the Lions seven game winning streak, however the Lions are tied for first in the NJAC standings. 

TCNJ returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, January 31st to take on Rowan University in Packer Hall.