New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score EWING, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The Gothic Knights took the road never before traveled but on February 11, reached the destination they intended. New Jersey City University freshman and six-time NJAC Rookie of the Week KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) scored 23 points in consecutive games and NJCU completed a remarkable second half comeback to its season, clinching the final berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament by cruising past The College of New Jersey, 65-53, on Monday night at Packer Hall.
 
NJCU (13-11, 8-9 NJAC) becomes the first known team in any sport in the history of the NJAC to open a season with an 0-7 league record and recover to qualify for the  conference's post-season tournament, as NJCU shot 53.2 percent overall (25-47) and an incredible 70.6 percent in the second half (12-17).
 
Meanwhile, NJCU won its sixth consecutive game and improved to 9-2 overall in its last 11 games—an 8-2 ledger in the NJAC after losing its first seven league games. NJCU also swept the season series from TCNJ (5-19, 3-14 NJAC).
 
NJCU will face either Rutgers-Newark or Richard Stockton College in the NJAC Quarterfinals on Saturday, February 16 at a time to be determined after Wednesday's results.
 
The Knights held an opponent to 55 or fewer points for the 11^th time this season and improved to 9-2 when they do. TCNJ shot 32.1 percent for the gamer (17-53) and 2-for-13 from three-point distance (.154).
 
Muhammad exceeded 20 points for the fifth time this season and the Knights improved to 4-1 when he does as the league's Rookie of the Week in each of the last two weeks scored more than double anyone else in the game, shooting 8-of-13 overall and 6-for-9 from the line, tallying 23 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes. Muhammad reached double figures in scoring for the 20^th time this year and led the club in points for an 18^th time as he was again one point shy of his career high. He scored 13 of his 23 in the opening half to help NJCU build a 15-point lead at the intermission.
 
Sophomore forward KHALID CRAWFORD-MUHAMMAD (Plainfield, NJ/Plainfield), who has started every game during NJCU's six-game winning streak, provided a career-high 10 points (3-6 FG, 4-6 FT) and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
 
Freshman guard RONDRE KELLY (Union, NJ/Malcolm X. Shabazz), who joined the team on January 7 when NJCU was 0-7 in the league, has been a key part of the late-season run and he scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with a pair of assists. Senior center DAVID JONES (Millville, NJ/Cumberland Regional) chipped in seven rebounds and six points (3-5 FG) in 15 minutes.
 
Sophomore guard Emmanuel Matlock (Trenton, NJ/Solebury) finished with a team-high 10 points for TCNJ (3-8 FG< 4-4 FT), adding three assists. Junior guard Matthew Rista (Point Pleasant, NJ/St. Anthony's) contributed nine rebounds (seven defensive) and eight points. Sophomore guard Jayson Johnson (Bordentown, NJ/Life Center Academy) also finished with eight points (6-6 FT). Freshman Mitch Miller (Ringoes, NJ/Hunterdon Central) finished with eight points and five boards.
 
In a game that was never in question for NJCU, the Gothic Knights did not trail, and jumped out to leads of 8-0 and 12-2 as Muhammad scored six of NJCU's first eight points. TCNJ pulled within three, 12-9, with 11:28 left before the Knights moved in front by seven, 16-9 at the midway point of the period. Two baskets allowed the Lions to claw within three, 16-13, with 8:27 to go, but the hosts would never challenge again.
 
NJCU scored the next eight points on baskets by sophomore forward DREW MARLEY (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia), Kelly, Muhammad and freshman forward FARAJI JAMES (Irvington, NJ/Bloomfield Tech), who had five rebounds, four points, three assists and three steals. The Knights led 24-13 with 5:34 left in the period. Two foul shots by Crawford-Muhammad pushed the lead into double figures and a fast-break bucket by Muhammad, his 10^th point of the game, made it 28-15 with 3:50 left in the half. Muhammad drilled a three—one of only two NJCU made in the game on just five attempts—for his 13^th point and a 31-16 advantage. NJCU led by 15, 33-18, at the break.
 
NJCU led by double figures the entire second half, building its largest lead at 19 points (37-18) when Muhammad sank a pair of foul shots 1:57 into the period.  Muhammad converted a three-point play with 8:52 to go for his 21st point and extended the NJCU margin to 52-34 (+18). The Knights lead stood at 15 in the final minute and half of regulation and the Lions never got closer than 10 points before NJCU sealed the 12-point decision.
 
NJCU will conclude the 80^th regular season of collegiate men's basketball on Wednesday, February 13 at 8 p.m. when it hosts Rutgers University-Camden in NJAC action at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. It will be Senior Day as the Knights honor DAVID JONES and JOSH CAVER (Trenton, NJ/Pennsbury (Fairless Hills, Pa.).