New Jersey City University Athletics

NJCU GUARANTEES 32^ND CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASON

WAYNE, NJ…Sophomore swingman DANA JOHN (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain East (Pa.)) reached the 20-point plateau for the fifth consecutive game, and New Jersey City University, which never trailed, clinched a berth in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament, by defeating William Paterson University, 71-60, in an NJAC North Division game at the Rec Center, Wednesday night.

With the win, NJCU (15-7, 9-2 NJAC) has officially extended its streak of consecutive winning seasons to 32 dating to 1975—the second longest active streak in Division III, and the third longest in D-III history. Only Wittenberg University (OH) at 39 seasons (1969-present) has a longer active streak; Wisconsin-Eau Claire had a streak of 33 straight snapped in 2002.

NJCU extends its current winning streak to nine games and has won 10-of-11 since the start of 2007. The Knights have won nine consecutive NJAC games since a 0-2 start. NJCU remains in first place overall in the NJAC and can clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the league tournament by winning its final two conference games.

The loss for WPU (14-9, 5-6 NJAC), the defending conference champion and preseason favorite, puts its NJAC Tournament hopes in serious jeopardy. NJCU swept the season series from the Pioneers, winning the first meeting on January 10, 56-42.

John, who scored 20 or more in a game for the ninth time this season, scored 29 points, with eight rebounds (seven defensive), four steals and two blocks. He shot 6-of-10 from the field, 4-of-8 from three-point range and converted a career-high 13-of-16 from the line. He hit all four of NJCU’s threes in the game; the rest of the team shot 0-of-8 from long range.

The 29 points marks the sixth time this year that John has scored at least 25 in a game and the seventh time in his career. The Knights improve to 10-2 all-time when he scores 20+ and 5-2 when he scores at least 25. With the four triples, John increases his single-season school record to 71 three-pointers and moved into third place in school history with 117. He passed Corey Johnson (114, 1994-98) on the all-time list.

MARQUES HILL" src="/images/mbasket/2007/2/8/01-20-07%20Marques%20Hill%201.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>Also for NJCU, junior forward MARQUES HILL (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) shot 4-of-8 from the field, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Senior point guard ALEX MIRABEL (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) had 11 points (3-7 FG), five rebounds and four assists, and senior center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) finished with nine points and five rebounds.

WPU received 22 points (8-11 FG) and seven rebounds from senior forward Luis Martinez (Passaic, NJ/Clifton), and 11 points, five rebounds, and five steals from junior guard Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck).

NJCU opened the game converting 16 of its first 18 free throws, before finishing 25-of-36 (.694). The Pioneers struggled from the line, making just 16-of-30 (.533)

The Knights led 16-7 in the first half before the Pioneers rallied to even the game at 19-19. The Knights regained the advantage and led by four, 30-26, at the half.

In the second half, WPU drew within one point, 34-33 with 17:07 remaining, before a 12-2 spurt over exactly 5:00 of action put NJCU in front by 11, 46-35, at 12:07. John scored eight points during the run, including 6-of-6 from the line. His steal led to a lay-up by Hill to cap the drive. Moments after the spurt, John stopped a fast-break attempt by WPU with a remarkable block, and tossed the rebound up court for a fast-break lay-up by Mirabel.

WPU was able to close within three points (51-48) with 6:28 remaining, but again John came up big with a jumper followed by three-pointer, making it 56-48 at 5:19. With 2:19 left and NJCU leading by six (60-54), John drilled a 27-foot three-pointer with one second on the shot clock to give NJCU a 63-54 margin, and with 1:01 left, Hill sealed the win with a dunk and free-throw.

NJCU will play its final regular-season home NJAC game on Saturday, February 10 at 8 p.m. when it hosts Montclair State University at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

—www.njcugothicknights.com—