New Jersey City University Athletics

Lopez, who scored his previous career high of 20 points in his only other game in the building on December 2, 2006, has combined to score 44 points in two games at Packer Hall. He shot 11-of-12 from the line—all in the second half when he scored 16 points—and his free throw accuracy largely helped bury the Lions. He was a perfect 6-of-6 from the stripe in the final 48 seconds, turning a four-point lead into a nine-point victory. He also shot 5-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range, while adding five assists and three steals in 34 minutes.

Wells reached the 20-point plateau for the first time in his career, shooting 8-of-14 overall with seven rebounds in 36 minutes. Senior guard KYLE INGRAM (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) chipped in 13 points (4-11 FG), including 3-of-7 three-point shooting, with four steals in 38 minutes.

Sophomore forward TOM McDERMOTT (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) came off the bench to haul down a career-high and game-best 10 rebounds (nine defensive) with six points, three blocks and two steals in 33 minutes.

NJCU freshman small forward RASHAWN SMALLS (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson), the NJAC's leading scorer and a five-time NJAC Rookie of the Week in the first seven weeks of the season, never had the chance to be a factor in the game. He found himself in early foul trouble and after receiving a technical foul with 11:45 remaining in the second half, fouled out with seven points and four rebounds in 15 minutes. It was the first time in his career he failed to reach double figures in scoring.

TCNJ was led by junior forward Aaron Syvertsen (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) who notched 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting including 5-of-12 from three-point distance. He was the only Lions' player to reach double figures as TCNJ shot just .299 from the floor (20-67). Half of its points came from three-point range where the Lions were 10-of-24 (.417).

Junior guard Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial), who scored 36 points against Stockton earlier in the week, was limited to eight points on 2-of-12 shooting. He had seven rebounds and three assists but committed six turnovers. Junior forward Steve Feinberg (Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) finished with eight points. Sophomore forward Steve Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) had eight rebounds for the Lions.

With Smalls limited to seven minutes after picking up two early fouls in the first half, Wells had 12 of NJCU's 28 points in the period, one shy of his previous career high of 13.

In a tight first half, NJCU opened a 22-17 lead on a Wells three-point play at 4:19 and it stood 24-20 on a fast-break layup from Lopez to Wells. Ingram drilled a three from the right wing for a 27-22 advantage at 3:14 and Wells made a free throw for a 28-22 margin before Syvertsen nailed a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer as the Knights led 28-25 at the half.

NJCU appeared to open a comfortable lead as it opened the second half on a 15-3 run to seize a 43-38 cushion with 14:07 left. The spurt started when Smalls had a jumper at 17:18 for a 33-27 margin. Later, Smalls drained a three from the left wing as NJCU's lead swelled to 38-28 with 15:40 remaining. Wells found Ingram open for a three from the right wing at 15:12 for a 41-28 margin and Wells slammed down a fast-break pass from Lopez to give the Knights a 15-point advantage. 

Three consecutive three-pointers by Syvertsen from the right wing in a span of 50 seconds shaved the 15-point lead to only six, 43-37 and Frank increased the Lions' run to 11-0 with a fast-break layup at 12:24. Moments later, Smalls was issued his fourth foul and a technical to be disqualified, and TCNJ extended its streak to 13-0 but hit only two of four free throws. The NJCU lead was cut to two, 43-41.

Lopez ended the bleeding with two free throws and a 45-41 lead and he slipped a fast-break pass to Wells for a lay-up and a 47-41 margin. Lopez sank an off-balance jumper in the lane with 9:09 left for a 49-41 lead and in a second half full of streaks, freshman guard IBN TOWNES (Newark, NJ/West Side) hit a mid-range jumper from the left side for a 51-43 advantage to cap an 8-2 run.

The fast-paced game slowed down a bit and become more of a defensive struggle. NJCU maintained a 51-46 at 6:06 with neither school scoring over a stretch of 1:58.

Feinberg had a basket with 4:59 left and freshman guard Pete Kelly (Mercerville, NJ/Nottingham) sank a three 19 seconds later and suddenly, the Knights led by just two, 53-51.

On the ensuing possession, McDermott, with one second remaining on the shot clock, knocked down his first jumper of the season, a 16-footer than made it 62-58 at 1:05. Lopez was fouled after TCNJ missed its next shot and hit both free throws for a 64-58 lead at 48.0. Frank turned it over and Wells hit a lay-up at 47.0. He missed his next shot but tracked down the rebound and McDermott rang up a wide open layup off a feed from Townes with 39 seconds left for another nine-point lead, 67-58. A Kelly three cut it to five with 25.2 remaining, 68-63, but Lopez iced the game with four more foul shots.

NJCU returns to action on Monday, January 12 at 8 p.m. when it hosts New York City College of Technology in a non-conference game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on Charlie Brown Court.