JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's basketball team hosted New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival The College of New Jersey at the John J. Moore Athletics nd Fitness Center (JMAC) on Saturday, Jan. 20. Trailing by 10 early in the second, the Gothic Knights stormed back and eventually made it a four-point game, but that was as close as NJCU would get for the remainder as TCNJ eventually took the 72-57 victory.
The Lions (14-4. 8-3 NJAC) claimed momentum early against NJCU (5-13, 2-9 NJAC) as the visitors scored eight of the game's first 10 points. The Gothic Knights then kept the game within reach for the remainder of the half, trailing by 12 at 32-20 before taking an eight-point, 38-30 deficit into the locker room. Then, trailing by 10 at 40-30 early in the second, NJCU scored three straight buckets, including two from senior forward
Avante Gilbert (Paterson, N.J./International), to make it a four-point, 40-36 game with 18:23 remaining. Unfortunately, the remainder of the day belonged to TCNJ as the road squad took the game by 15.
Highlights:
- Gilbert finished with a double-double, scoring a team-best 14 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting and leading all players with 11 boards. He also blocked two shots.
- Junior forward
Malachi Gayton (East Orange, N.J./St. Mary's of Assumption) scored nine points with three rebounds in his first start as a Gothic Knight.
- Junior forward
Ryan Savoy (Lakewood, N.J./Lakewood) grabbed nine rebounds to go with two blocks, five points and a game-best six assists in 21 minutes played off the bench.
- Juniors
Jaheim Lewis (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) and
Hakeem Wilson (Newark, N.J./North Star Academy) each chipped in eight points.
Up Next:
NJCU looks to halt its three-game NJAC losing skid when the squad travels out to William Paterson University on Wednesday night, Jan. 24, in Wayne, N.J., for a scheduled 8:00 p.m. tipoff. The Gothic Knights have topped the Pioneers in two straight, including a 10-point win earlier this year at the JMAC.
