New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score GLASSBORO, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University led Rowan University by one at the half before its offense suffered in the second period—shooting just 24.3 percent (9-37)—and despite a late rally bid NJCU dropped a 62-59 New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball decision at Esby Gymnasium on December 4.
 
Rowan (4-3, 1-2 NJAC) never led by more than seven points in the second half but was able to hold off several NJCU (5-2, 2-1 NJAC) comebacks. The Gothic Knights dropped their second straight game, and first NJAC contest, following a 5-0 start.
 
Rowan received a brilliant point guard performance from senior Jason Rosenberg with 11 points (5-6 FG) and 10 assists in 39 minutes versus just three turnovers. The Profs shot 44 percent in each period and finished the game at 44.2 percent (23-52) overall.
 
NJCU lost despite a 50-31 rebounding margin, including 23-6 on the offensive glass. With the wide rebounding differential, NJCU was only able to generate 11 second chance points.
 
Sophomore shooting guard KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) had a team-high 15 points with nine rebounds (five offensive), four steals and three assists but struggled from the field, shooting 6-of-21. Junior point guard JOURDAN ROBERSON (Brooklyn, NY/University (Newark)) contributed 11 points (4-11 FG) and nine rebounds (seven defensive) but didn't have an assist. NJCU was credited with an assist on just nine of 23 made baskets.
 
Also for NJCU, junior guard DAVID COLE (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) had nine points (4-6 FG) in 17 minutes before fouling out. Senior small forward WALIK ALBRIGHT (Jersey City, NJ/Create Charter) had seven points, six rebounds and three assists but shot just 2-of-9 (0-5 3FG). Junior center EDDIE BROWN (Newark, NJ/Newark East Side) collected seven points (3-6 FG).
 
Rowan received a game-high 18 points from Tim McDaniels who was 7-of-12 from the floor (2-3 3FG) and Jason Sofman was 4-for-4 from the field, finishing with 10 points. Rich McNamara added eight points (2-8 FG, 2-6 3FG) and six rebounds while Phil Jackson (3-13 FG, 1-6 3FG) also struggled but scored seven points with eight boards.
 
Muhammad and Roberson each scored eight in the first half for NJCU as the Knights shot 45.2 percent in the period (14-31). The half was tightly played with five ties and four lead changes and NJCU's largest advantage stood at five (10-5). The Profs twice moved in front by six (27-21 and 29-23) before the Knights utilized a 10-3 run over the final 7:43 to claim a 33-32 edge at the break, finally taking back the lead on two Albright free throws with 34 seconds remaining.
 
After NJCU pushed the lead to 35-32 on the opening play of the second half, Rowan scored nine consecutive points, capped by a McDaniels three and a Sofman layup and claimed a 41-35 advantage. A pair of three-pointers by Muhammad put NJCU ahead again, 42-41, but McNamara answered with a three 30 seconds later (14:12) and a fast-break layup by Rosenberg off an NJCU turnover made it 46-42. Cole would score back-to-back baskets for NJCU including a fast-break layup off a Muhammad steal and assist to again draw the visitors within one, 47-46 (12:28).
 
But Rowan would score the next six points—a layup by Rosenberg (9:34), a fast-break layup by Jackson (9:21) and an offensive rebound and tip-in by Rosenberg (8:01) to push the lead to seven, 53-46. Each time NJCU attempted to rally, Rowan answered or the Knights failed to capitalize on opportunities. Roberson hit a three with 6:07 to play to make it a 2-point game (53-51) before a Sofman 3-point play pushed the lead back to five. After the clubs traded free throws and field goals, Cole knocked down a three with 3:40 left to again make it a 2-point deficit, 60-58.
 
But NJCU wouldn't convert another field goal. Albright missed a three on a fast-break try after a steal on the ensuing inbounds play and he couldn't finish a layup with 1:59 to go. Roberson missed a jumper with 2:24 on the clock. Sofman made a foul shot with 1:34 to play to make it a 3-point game. Still trailing, 61-58 with 20 seconds left, Muhammad had a wide-open three-point look fall short and Rowan iced the game with a free throw.
 
NJCU is back on the court on Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. when it hosts Richard Stockton College in a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup of the league's preseason No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams.