JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's basketball team was defeated at home on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup versus Kean University. Kean held the lead for a majority of the game, and ultimately picked up an 80-69 victory when the final buzzer sounded.

Jersey City (2-7, 1-4 NJAC) looked to bounce back from Wednesday night's road loss to Ramapo College, and junior guard Hakeem Wilson (Newark, N.J./North Star Academy) got NJCU off to a good start getting to the basket right off the opening tip. NJCU and Kean (5-3, 4-1 NJAC) went back and forth getting stops on the defensive end, until Kean got on the board. The Gothic Knights got two points right back, but then the Cougars went on a 7-0 run. This run ultimately gave back Kean the lead they would hold onto for the remainder of the game.

While NJCU found themselves trailing by as many as 20 points in the second half, senior forward Avante Gilbert (Paterson, N.J./International) scored 14 of his 20 points and senior guard Will Brown III (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) put in 10 of his 19 to try and get the Gothic Knights back in it. NJCU was able to cut the lead down to as little as six points with a mid range jumper by freshman guard Marc Brown, Jr. (Union, N.J./Essex County Newark Tech), but Kean would regain their double-digit lead and hold on to win by 11.

Highlights:
- Gilbert recorded career-highs in minutes (36), free throw attempts/makes (8/10) and rebounds (8), and tied his career-high in points (20) and steals (3).
- Wilson logged a season-high in made field goals (6) and field goal percentage (50 percent).

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights are home again on Wednesday night, Dec. 13, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC), hosting Rowan University. Tip-off against the Profs is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.