Box Score UNION, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University nailed 16 three-pointers—one shy of the program record—and outscored Kean University by identical 39-26 margins in both halves on its way to its fifth consecutive victory as the Gothic Knights defeated Kean 78-52 in New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball on December 7 at Harwood Arena.
 
Freshman power forward Sam Toney (Somerdale, N.J./Williamstown), the two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week, scored 15 points in just 16 minutes in the first half and five different Gothic Knights hit multiple triples in the win. NJCU upped its mark to 7-1 and 4-0 in the NJAC with the 26-point rout of the winless Cougars (0-7, 0-4 NJAC). NJCU notched an assist on 23 of 29 made baskets and had a +12 turnover margin in the win.
 
Senior shooting guard Jalen Harris (Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park (Md.)), last week's NJAC Player of the Week, scored 11 of his game-high 17 points in the second half. He shot 4-of-9 from three-point distance and 6-of-13 overall in 23 minutes. Toney scored all 15 in the first half and finished 3-of-8 from three-point range (6-13 FG) with six rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
 
All seven of the shots by senior point guard Ata Robinson (Newark, N.J./East Side) were three-point tries and he knocked down four of them, finishing with 12 points and three assists in 21 minutes.
 
Junior small forward Kevin Brown (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) scored eight points on 2-of-4 three-point shooting (3-6 FG) with five rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes. Sophomore Yuri Brutus (Roselle Park, N.J./Roselle Park) added eight points (4-7 FG) in 12 minutes while graduate student power forward Chinwe Wosu (Jersey City, N.J./University Academy Charter) finished with seven rebounds, five points, four steals and three assists.
 
Six different Gothic Knights had at least three assists in the win and no visiting player logged more than 24 minutes.
 
Justin Watson was Kean's top performer with 12 points (5-12 FG) and four assists. The Cougars committed 22 turnovers with the Knights limited to just 11 giveaways. NJCU held a 26-13 margin in points off turnovers.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Kean only led on the opening possession of the game. With NJCU up 6-5 in the opening minutes, NJCU unleashed a 12-0 outburst to gain an 18-5 lead as Toney, Harris and Toney again buried triples in a span of 67 seconds. When Kean drew back within two (21-19) with 7:17 left in the half, NJCU countered that with an 18-2 spurt over the next 6:30. After back-to-back baskets by Toney pushed the margin back to double figures (31-21), Robinson drilled consecutive treys. The Knights led by 13 at halftime and gradually increased the lead throughout the second half. NJCU's largest advantage was 31 (72-41) on a Brutus bucket with 2:42 to go in the second period.
 
QUOTABLE KNIGHTS:
 
Reigning NJAC Coach of the Year Marc Brown on the win: "We came with good energy tonight and didn't look past the opponent. Kean is struggling this season but always plays hard."
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 135th known meeting. NJCU leads, 98-37 (Streak: won last five).
• NJCU was one three-pointer shy of the single-game record of 17 achieved at Rowan on January 27, 2007.
• NJCU has converted 29 three-pointers in its last two games.
• Jalen Harris scored in double figures for the 32nd time in 36 career games as a Gothic Knight.
• Sam Toney scored in double figures for the fifth consecutive game and the sixth time in eight games to begin his NCAA career.
• Ata Robinson had his third double digit scoring effort of the season and 10th in two years at NJCU. The 12 points is a season high.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
On Saturday, December 10, in one of the marquee games in the state, it will be a first-place matchup when NJCU hosts The College of New Jersey at 3 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Charlie Brown Court). The Lions come in at 7-2 and 4-0 in the NJAC. It will be the first meeting since TCNJ upset top-seeded NJCU, 92-82, in the NJAC semifinals on February 24, 2016. It will be the 139th meeting during the NJAC era (since 1955-56). NJCU leads the all-time series, 74-44.