The new year has not been kind to the men’s basketball team, as the Lions have lost six straight games since the calendar turned over.
Most recently the team lost a NJAC contest against Ramapo College, where it had the lead entering the second half but was floored by a strong run from the Roadrunners. The team had led by nine at the half, but a strong 13-0 run by the Roadrunners changed the tide of the game for the worse for the Lions.
Sophomore guard Matt Rista led the team in the game, finishing with 11 points and two assists for the game. The team played smart basketball in the first half, only turning the ball over twice and limiting the Roadrunners to 22 shot attempts for the half. Unfortunately, the script was flipped in the second half when Ramapo took off on their run.
The team’s recent struggles can partially be attributed to the team’s productive forward/center, freshman Kyle Cancillieri, recently quitting the team.
Cancillieri gave the team a much-needed boost in the middle, where he was averaging close to 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Cancillieri had won the NJAC Rookie of the Week three weeks running before leaving the team.
The team will take the floor again tonight against Rutgers University-Camden as they look to get back on track.
