Otto Gomez
Staff Writer
The men’s basketball team continued their great play as they defeated conference opponents Richard Stockton and Rutgers-Newark last week.
The team traveled to Galloway to face Stockton and left with a great come-from-behind victory with a score of 66-63. The game featured a very strong performance by junior Bobby Brackett, who in a team-high 36 minutes posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Brackett also converted on a lay-up followed by a free throw with two seconds to go in the game. On the ensuing possession, sophomore Eric Klacik stole the ball to ensure the Lions victory.
The upset over the 13th-ranked Stockton Ospreys was the eighth win in the last 10 games for the Lions, putting them at 11-8 on the regular season, and it gave Richard Stockton only their third loss of the season.
Fresh off a great victory, the Lions kept gaining momentum on their way to their second game of the season with Rutgers-Newark.
Previously on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Lions traveled to Newark only to come away with a 66-56 loss. However, this time playing in Ewing, the result was different.
In front of a great crowd in Packer Hall, the Lions bested the Scarlet Raiders by a convincing score of 74-62. This was a well-rounded victory for the team as it saw contributions from many different players. Freshman guard Erick Murdock, Jr. scored 17 second-half points, senior forward Skyelar Ettin finished with 14 points, including three 3-pointers, and Brackett missed a double-double by one rebound, ending with a statline of 10 points and nine rebounds.
Unlike the previous game, the Lions got off to a great start right off the tip, seizing a 36-25 lead at half and never looking back. While they got great productivity from their offense the entire game, it was the defense that was the game changer in the closing minutes. The Scarlet Raiders were not able to make a field goal from the 5:07 mark until there was under 30 seconds left in the game. Late free throws clinched the home victory for the College.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Lions look to stay hot against NJAC rival Rowan University at home, a squad who bested the Lions 76-59 back on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
