New Jersey City University Athletics

EWING, NJ…Freshman guard JOSH LOPEZ (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary’s) scored all 20 of his career-high 20 points in the second half, and New Jersey City University nearly rallied from a 13-point deficit with 1:48 remaining, but The College of New Jersey survived the Gothic Knights, 72-70, in the NJAC opener for both schools at Packer Hall.

 

After opening the season 4-0, NJCU drops its second consecutive game to fall to 4-2, 0-1 NJAC. The Lions are also 4-2 (1-0 NJAC).

 

Lopez, who had only scored nine points in his first four collegiate games, and never had more than four in a contest, had an amazing second half. In 14 minutes, he shot 5-of-6 from the field—all from three-point range—and 5-of-5 from the free throw line, to finish with the game-high 20 points and four rebounds. His only missed shot was a desperation three at the final buzzer.

               

TCNJ senior guard Brian Halligan (Delran, NJ/Delran) had a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, including 12 defensive caroms. He shot 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from long range, with 12 points and 10 boards in the opening half.

 

Junior forward Mark Aziz (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris) had 19 points (8-13 FG), eight defensive rebounds and two blocks, while junior guard Corey Gilmore (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) finished in double digits in scoring with 15 points (5-8 FG), as he surpassed his previous career-high of 13.

 

NJCU had three players in double figures, including Lopez. Sophomore swingman DANA JOHN (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain East (Pa.)) had 14 points (4-13 FG, 3-10 3FG) and seven rebounds, while rookie forward DIVINE LYLES (Watchung, NJ/Watchung Regional), who had only made one three-pointer in the first five games of his career, nailed 3-of-4 threes, and 3-of-5 from the field to finish with 10 points.

 

Also for the Knights, senior point guard ALEX MIRABEL (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) had 11 rebounds (seven defensive), eight points and six assists, while senior center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) chipped in eight. Sophomore guard KEVIN TUCKER (Jersey City, NJ/Ferris) who entered the game as NJCU’s No. 2 scorer (14.4 per game) did not play.

 

Overall, the two clubs combined for 22 three-pointers, including 15 in the second half. NJCU shot 39.0 percent overall (23-59). The Knights hit 12 threes (12-25, 48.0%), including 10-of-17 in the second half (58.8%).

 

The Lions shot 52.0 percent overall (26-50), including 63.6 percent in the second half (14-22), and made 10-21 threes (47.6%).

 

NJCU had a 33-7 margin in bench scoring and 14-7 off turnovers, but the Lions had 10 more points in the paint (26-16).

 

The Lions led 31-28 after a first half that featured five ties and 11 lead changes. TCNJ exploded out to a 13-2 run to begin the second half and gained a 14-point, 44-30 lead, after two threes by sophomore guard Jeff Molinelli (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) and another by junior forward Jeff Warner (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial). TCNJ hit its first five shots from the floor and were a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arch in the first 3:30 of play.

 

Lopez subbed in shortly thereafter and proceeded to hit three consecutive three-point baskets and converted a free throw, for 10 points in his first 2:51 of action, as NJCU pulled within six, down 46-40 at 12:10.

 

The Lions never trailed in the second half, and rebuilt a 10-point margin with 9:57 remaining. The Knights clawed to within four, 54-50, as John sank a three at 6:25. After a three by Lyles at 3:33 shaved the deficit to single digits, layups by Aziz (3:00) and Halligan (1:48), gave the Lions what appeared to be a commanding, 13-point, 67-54 cushion.

 

However, in an amazing comeback bid, NJCU surged back to within one point. Lyles hit a three at 1:40, before Lopez knocked down his fourth three of the game at 1:22. He was fouled on the play—one of four instances in the contest where the Lions fouled a three-point shooter—and cut the TCNJ lead to 67-61. After two free throws by Aziz made it 69-61, John sank a three off a Lopez assist, for a 69-64 deficit with 1:06 left.

 

Gilmour hit one of two free throws, before Lyles drilled another three from the right wing as he was floored by a foul. He missed the free throw, but NJCU was within three points, 70-67, with 44 seconds left.

 

Aziz made one of two free throws with 26 seconds left, and TCNJ led 71-67. With 18 seconds remaining, Lopez fired up a long three from well beyond NBA range. The shot rang off the back iron, sailed 10 feet over the basket, and fell through, and the TCNJ lead was down to 71-70. Gilmour made 1-of-2 freebies and NJCU called timeout with 11 seconds left. But on the final possession, NJCU could not find a decent look at the basket, and Lopez’ final, desperation three did not fall from the top of the key.

 

NJCU will return to action on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. in an NJAC game against Rutgers-Newark at the Golden Dome.

 

Team Stat Comparison
	NJCU	TCNJ
Score	70	72
Half-Time Score	28	31
Field Goal Percentage	.390 (23-59)	.520 (26-50)
Three-Point Percentage	.480 (12-25)	.476 (10-21)
Free Throw Percentage	.571 (12-21)	.500 (10-20)
Rebounds (O-D-T)	12-22-34	5-30-35
Assists	14	15
Turnovers	13	13
Blocks	2	3
Steals	5	2
Fouls	19	20
Largest Lead	2	14
Points in the Paint	16	26
Points off Turnovers	14	7
Second Change Points	10	2
Fast Break Points	4	2
Bench Points	33	7