MADISON, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) |  The New Jersey City University men's basketball team led by 18 at halftime and by as many as 17 with 2:17 remaining before defeating Gwynedd Mercy University, 82-76, in the opening round of the Rose City Classic, hosted by Drew University on November 18.
 
NJCU improves to 2-0 on the season and advances to meet host Drew in the tournament championship game on November 19 at 4 p.m. The Rangers (1-1) defeated Brooklyn, 97-87, in the other opening round contest.
 
Sophomore power forward Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) surpassed 20 points for the second straight game and fifth time in his career, netting 21 on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 three-point accuracy, adding six rebounds and four assists.
 
Toney sparked an NJCU offense that shot 44.0 percent from three-point distance, knocking down 11 triples. The Gothic Knights were 26-of-53 from the field in the win (.491).

Junior shooting guard Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) added 16 points (6-6 FT) while junior center Yuri Brutus (Roselle, NJ/Roselle Park) had nine points. Freshman center Chika Wosu (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter)) added nine points (4-5 FG) in 16 minutes and junior point guard Shaquan Worthy (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Central) chipped in seven points and five assists, hitting on 2-of-3 three-point shots. Freshman point guard Kamal Williams (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) scored seven points in seven minutes.