EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey men's basketball team used a big second half run to defeat Ramapo on Saturday, 82-56. The Lions finished the game with an 18-3 stretch to pull away from the Roadrunners. TCNJ improved to 14-8 on the year, including 11-4 in conference action. Ramapo fell to 13-9 and 9-6 in the conference.

The first period was a half of runs. The Lions came out of the gate with a 14-4 stretch. Randall Walko scored the first bucket of the game with a three-pointer. A couple of possessions later, Mike Walley scored on a lay-up. TCNJ made three three-pointers to take a 10-point advantage. Tommy Egan struck from long range, then Walley made a triple of his own. Michael Chapman capped off the run with a three-pointer to push the lead to 10.

The Roadrunners countered with a run of their own. They went on a 13-0 run to grab a one-point lead, however the pendulum swung back in the Lions' favor. TCNJ went on a 13-0 stretch that was capped off by six points from Walko. He hit a three-pointer, then converted on an and-one to push the lead to 29-17.

With 26 seconds to play in the first half, Walley struck from beyond the arc to bump the lead to 38-25. Ramapo made a pair of free throws to pull within 38-27 at the break.

Ramapo cut the TCNJ advantage to 43-37 with 16:26 left to play. Ryan Jensen was fouled shooting a three-pointer, and he made all three of his free throws. The threes continued to fall for the Lions, and back-to-back trifectas gave them a 54-41 lead. Jensen dialed long distance, then Walley hit another to push the lead to 13 with 11:42 to go.

The Roadrunners trimmed the deficit to 64-53 with just 6:17 to play, but after that it was all TCNJ. The Lions continued their hot shooting and finished the game with a big 18-3 run. A lay-up from Jensen extended the lead to 68-53 with 4:18 to go.

Walley caught fire down the stretch run. He made four three-pointers in the last four minutes, and the last one gave TCNJ an 80-55 lead.

The Lions shot an impressive 18-of-39 (46.2%) from three-point range. The 18 made threes are the third-most in a single game in program history. TCNJ last made 18 three-pointers against Rutgers-Camden on Nov. 22, 2016. The Lions were just four shy of the school record of 22 three-pointers, which they set against Scranton on Dec. 16, 2017.

Walley scored a career-high 23 points and shot 7-of-13 (53.8%) from long distance. Jensen scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. Walko tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Travis Jocelyn pitched in 13 points.

TCNJ remains tied for first place in the NJAC standings with Stockton. The Ospreys pulled out an overtime win against New Jersey City University today. There are only three games left on the regular season schedule for all NJAC teams.

Prior to the game, the Lions held senior day. TCNJ honored its senior class of Chapman, Egan, Jensen, Walko, and Walley for all of their dedication and commitment to the program the last four years.

The Lions will return to the court on Feb. 12 for a home game against NJCU.