Jersey City, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men's basketball team bounced back from a tough three-game losing streak, securing a 68-59 victory over Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday, January 29, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). The Gothic Knights (11-8, 7-5 NJAC) delivered a dominant all-around performance, fueled by a spectacular second-half showing from senior guard Isaiah Johnson-Williams (Jersey City, N.J./Don Bosco). The standout player tallied a career-high 20 points, all of which came in the second half, and showcased his scoring versatility by sinking three season-high three-pointers, knocking down seven free throws, and adding two blocks to his stat line.

NJCU shot an efficient 48.9% from the field (22-45) and an impressive 45.5% from beyond the arc (5-11). Their proficiency at the free-throw line was also key, as they connected on 82.6% of their attempts (19-23). In contrast, Rutgers-Newark (5-13, 0-12 NJAC) struggled with their shooting from distance, hitting just 16.7% of their three-point attempts (2-12), although they were solid from the charity stripe, converting 90% of their free throws (9-10).

Despite the Scarlet Raiders out-rebounding the Gothic Knights (28-27) and dominating points in the paint (34-22), NJCU made critical contributions in other areas of the game. The Gothic Knights held an edge in assists (8-6), steals (8-6), and limiting turnovers (12 compared to Rutgers-Newark's 13).
Joining Johnson-Williams in the scoring column was junior guard Jaheim Lewis (Hillside, N.J./Hillside), who contributed 14 points (4-8 shooting), a team-high seven rebounds, and three steals. Fifth-year forward Avante Gilbert (Paterson, N.J./International) chipped in with eight points (4-7 shooting) and five rebounds, while sophomore guard Bakhi Rogers-Robinson (Orange, N.J./West Caldwell Tech) added six points and five boards.

For Rutgers-Newark, Levi Holton was the standout performer, scoring 19 points on 8-12 shooting, along with two rebounds and two assists. Shy'Heed Jenkins-Floyd also made a significant contribution with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Donovan Crawford, a new addition to the lineup, posted a game-high nine rebounds along with 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome NJCU's strong finish.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging baskets and momentum. However, a layup by senior guard Brenden Kelly (Clark, N.J./Elizabeth) sparked a pivotal 13-4 run for NJCU, putting them up 35-27 heading into halftime. The Gothic Knights shot an impressive 91.7% (11-12) from the free-throw line in the first half, a stat that would prove to be important later on. Lewis led the charge with 10 points in the first half, contributing five of them from the free-throw line.

The second half opened with an 8-0 run by NJCU, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from Johnson-Williams, which briefly gave the Gothic Knights a double-digit lead. However, Rutgers-Newark responded with their own 9-0 run, fueled by nine points from Holton, cutting NJCU's lead to just 43-36. Despite the Scarlet Raiders' push, Gilbert delivered back-to-back dunks, helping NJCU regain a commanding 45-36 advantage.

With 8:55 remaining, Johnson-Williams hit his third three-pointer of the game, extending the lead to 57-49 and helping the Gothic Knights maintain control of the game. While Rutgers-Newark made one final push, cutting the deficit to a two-possession game, NJCU held steady, executing down the stretch to secure the 68-59 win.

UP NEXT:
NJCU will be looking to even the series as they face NJAC rival Kean University on Saturday, February 1, at 3:00 p.m. in a crucial road contest.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.