JERSEY CITY – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men's basketball team secured its second NJAC win as they earned a hard-fought 78-66 victory over Rutgers-Newark.

The Gothic Knights (5-2, 2-0 NJAC) shot a season-high 50.8% (31-61) from the field, while Rutgers-Newark (4-4, 1-1 NJAC) struggled at 37.1% (23-62). NJCU also hit 4-of-9 (44.4%) from three and 75% (12-16) from the free-throw line. The Scarlet Raiders made just 26.7% (4-15) of their three-point attempts and 80% (16-20) from the line. NJCU led in several categories, including points off turnovers (18-16), bench points (27-8), points in the paint (46-36), and fast-break points (19-14). Both teams scored 16 second-chance points, but the Gothic Knights' overall efficiency and depth were key to their win.

Senior guard Jaheim Lewis (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) led the Gothic Knights with a season-high 20 points (8-15 FG) and 12 rebounds, marking his first 20-point performance and second double-double of the season. Senior guard Isaiah Johnson-Williams (Jersey City, N.J./Don Bosco) added a season-high 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-3 3P), along with two blocks and two steals. Junior Bakhi Rogers-Robinson (Orange, N.J./West Caldwell Tech) tied his career-high with 15 points (7-14 FG) and set a season-best with five rebounds. Senior guard Hakeem Wilson (Newark, N.J./North Star Academy) filled the stat sheet with 11 points (5-5 FT), seven assists, seven rebounds, and two steals. The Scarlet Raiders were led by Levi Holton, who recorded 20 points and three rebounds. Shy'Heed Jenkins-Floyd also contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

The first half was a tightly contested battle, with the two teams staying within six points of each other throughout. The Green and Gold entered halftime with a narrow 34-33 lead, shooting 48.1% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Scarlet Raiders held their largest lead early in the game at 7-2, just 2:37 into the action. Johnson-Williams helped NJCU regain the lead (9-7) with a three-pointer and two free throws around the 14-minute mark. The teams exchanged baskets, but the Gothic Knights eventually established their largest lead, 19-13, with contributions from Johnson-Williams and a jumper by junior center Raymond Ezike (Newark, N.J./Westside). Rutgers-Newark took a brief 33-32 lead with 48 seconds left after Pascal Dodard connected on two free throws. However, Rogers-Robinson responded with a jumper assisted by Lewis, giving the Green and Gold a one-point advantage heading into the break.

Coming out of the half, the teams traded baskets until senior forward Avante Gilbert's (Paterson, N.J./International) jumper at the 14:34 mark sparked a 12-3 run, giving the Gothic Knights a 10-point lead with 10:41 remaining. The Scarlet Raiders responded with a 9-0 run to close within one point at 7:58. With 2:38 left, Rutgers-Newark cut it to a two-possession game (67-62), but layups by junior forward Arterio Williams (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West) and Lewis, along with a three-pointer by Johnson-Williams, gave NJCU a double-digit lead at 74-64 with 58 seconds left. Wilson sealed the 78-66 victory, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 40 seconds.

UP NEXT:

The Gothic Knights return to action on Saturday, Dec. 7 as they host Rowan at 3:00 p.m.

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