By Jordan Washington
Staff Writer
The College had an unusual schedule this week with three games on Jan. 28, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Feb. 2 against Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden and Ramapo College respectively.
The Lions first traveled to Newark for a game that had been postponed the previous week due to the weather. It was a close game against a team they had already beaten, but this time they were not able to get the job done.
The last few minutes were the most exciting and ultimately decided the game. After trailing by one point late in the game, a frantic possession led to a lay up by junior forward Randall Walko. A foul with only two and a half seconds left on the clock led to the end of the game.
The rest of the game was as even as the score but the Lions’ downfall was due to their 19 turnovers, compared with the nine of Rutgers-Newark.
In the next game against Rutgers-Camden, the Lions wanted to make a statement following a tough loss, and they did just that with a near 30-point blowout win where everyone shared the wealth.
Four players scored at least 14 points while junior forward Ryan Jensen scored the most with 21. Jensen also destroyed the glass with 15 rebounds.
The team made nine three-point shots in the first half, shooting a staggering 55 percent. In a crucial game against an NJAC opponent, the College did not want to lose two straight this close to the end of the season.
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the team traveled to Mahwah to take on Ramapo. There was another balanced scoring effort, as Walko led the way with 24 points. Coming into the game, Ramapo had a 23-game winning streak at home and the Lions were determined to put an end to it.
Three-point shooting was the key again, as the Lions made 15 for the game. Walko had five three-pointers and scored 10 straight points for the College in the second half.
With the big win, the College moves into a three-way tie for third place with the upcoming NJAC conference tournament. The team’s next game is as big as the last few –– the Lions will go up against New Jersey City University tonight at 8 p.m.
