EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey men's basketball team opened up 2020 with a convincing 95-69 victory against Wilkes University. The Lions improved their record to 5-6 on the season, while the Colonels dropped to 6-4.

TCNJ held a 33-27 advantage with 5:50 to play in the first half, then built a big lead with a 17-3 run. Ryan Jensen converted on a lay-up, was fouled, and hit the free throw for the old fashioned three point play. On the Lions next possession, Jensen found Travis Jocelyn down low who scored a bucket on a lay-up.

After Jocelyn hit a pair of free throws, P.J. Ringel stole the ball away, then took it to the rim for a fast break lay-up. Sterling White's jumper put the Lions ahead 44-28, then Jocelyn hit from in close again. The Lions continued to get efficient shots from in close, as Randall Walko made a lay-up. With 1:21 to play in the first half, Jocelyn stole the ball away from a Colonel. He took it coast to coast, then threw down a reverse dunk to put TCNJ up 50-30. TCNJ led 52-33 heading into the break.

The Lions kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second half, and did not let Wilkes back into the game. Jocelyn remained locked in, and struck from beyond the arc with 15:54 to play to put the Lions ahead 66-39. On TCNJ's next possession Ringel knocked down a jumper, then Jocelyn hit one of his own to put the Lions ahead by 27. TCNJ took its biggest lead of the game when Jason Larranaga hit a pair of free throws to put the Lions on top 84-49.

Jocelyn led TCNJ with a game-high 22 points, and did not miss from the floor as he shot 7-of-7 from the field. He also added five rebounds. Jensen tallied 15 points, while Ringel and Mike Walley each contributed 12. Walko net 11 points on the afternoon.

The Lions shot the ball efficiently, as they went 31-of-55 (56.4 %) from the field, 9-of-22 (41%) from three-point range, and 24-of-27 (89%) from the free throw line.

The Lions return to the hardwood on Saturday, Jan. 4 to face Rutgers-Camden at home.