EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey men's basketball team was edged by Stockton University in the NJAC opener on Tuesday night by a final score of 79-77. The Lions fell to 2-3 on the year while the Ospreys bumped their record to 3-2.

TCNJ opened the game with an 8-3 lead. Back-to-back three-pointers from Randall Walko and Mike Walley put the Lions ahead by five just three minutes into the game.

Stockton was holding a 34-27 lead with under seven minutes to play in the first half. Travis Jocelyn converted a lay-up on a strong take to the rim. Walko hit a pair of free throws, then P.J. Ringel found Jocelyn on a backdoor cut. Jocelyn threw down a dunk to pull the Lions within 36-32.

The Lions drew even on one play, as Walko converted a four point play. He nailed a three-pointer and got fouled, then made the free throw to tie the game at 36-36. Stockton took a 44-40 lead heading into halftime.

In the second half, the Ospreys took a 59-52 lead with 13:38 to play, but TCNJ battled back into it. A three-pointer from Walley pulled the Lions to within 59-57 with 12 minutes to go.

Walko threw down a thunderous dunk to tie it up at 59-59 with 9:53 to play. Walko beat his defender, then rose up to throw it down. He was also fouled, and hit the free throw to put the Lions on top.

TCNJ took a 67-64 lead when Jocelyn knocked down a three-pointer, but the Ospreys rallied to score the next six points.

With under a minute to play, the Ospreys were up 74-71. Ryan Jensen came up with a steal to get the ball back to TCNJ. On the other end, Walko found Jensen who drilled the clutch three-pointer to tie the game up with 49 seconds to play.

The game came down to the wire. The Ospreys were up 76-74 and had a chance to ice the game with two free throws, yet they missed both. With only ten seconds to play, Ringel found Walley in the corner with a baseline pass. Walley drilled the clutch three-pointer to put TCNJ ahead 77-76. On the other end, a foul was called against TCNJ, and Stockton was awarded three free throws. They knocked down all three, and TCNJ was unable to tie it up as Stockton held onto the narrow victory.

Walley finished the night with 20 points which set a new career-high. He shot 5-of-9 from three point range. Walko also tallied 20 points. Jocelyn finished with 18 points, while Jensen posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

TCNJ will return to the court to face Rowan on Dec. 4 at home at 8:00 p.m.