Box Score EWING, NJ – The College of New Jersey men's basketball team outlasted Rowan University, 87-79 in a conference game on Wednesday night.
With 3:16 remaining, forward Jordan Glover (so. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) tied the score at 76 for TCNJ with a layup. Guard Eric Murdock (jr. Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) followed with a jumper (2:16) and guard Eric Klacik (sr. Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) contributed with a three (1:44). The Lions were ahead 81-76 and sealed the victory with six foul shots by Murdock in the final 36 seconds.
Murdock ended the game with 18 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. He was 12 for 12 from the free throw line. Forward Corey Stanford (sr. Pittsburgh, PA/Penn Trafford) scored a game-high 22 points and he also grabbed nine boards. Forward Bobby Brackett (sr. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds. Glover added seven points and five boards.
The Lions are 7-2 overall and they are 4-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Profs have a 6-3 record with a 3-1 conference mark.
Rowan had five players that scored in double figures. Forward
Shawn Wilson (sr. Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) contributed with 19 points and seven rebounds. Guard
Nick DePersia (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) scored 15 points with five three-pointers. Forward
Gary Carthan (sr. Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Reg.) totaled 12 points and recorded a career-high with 11 boards. Guard
Josh Borrelli (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) and forward
TJ Booth (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) had 11 and 10 points respectively.
In the second stanza, Rowan led 58-48 (14:32) after a three-pointer and foul shot by guard
Jeff Haddock (fr. Burlington, NJ/Willingboro). TCNJ tied the score at 60 (11:05) with a 12-2 run. Murdock produced six of the 12 points. Wilson's three at 8:44 put the Profs ahead 69-68. Borrelli made two free throws (8:10) and Booth added a layup (7:31) to increase the lead to five (73-68). The Lions answered with six straight points for a one-point advantage (74-73) with 5:15 on the clock. DePersia nailed a three (3:44) and Rowan was up for the last time 76-74. Glover followed with the tying basket (3:16), which started TCNJ's 13-3 surge to win the game.
There were seven ties and seven lead changes in the first half. The Lions were ahead by seven (20-13) with 9:36 left. The Profs followed with seven straight points, which tied the score at 20. Haddock hit a three (9:19) while Booth (8:29) and Carthan (7:57) each had a layup. The score was tied six more times before the break.
With 1:06 left, Stanford's basket was good for the final tie at 34. Guard
Rob DePersia (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) nailed a jumper and Haddock sank two free throws to take the lead 38-34 at the 24-second mark. Guard Kevin Johnson (jr. Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) had a three with six seconds left and the Lions were down by one (38-37) at intermission.
Next Rowan hosts Montclair State University on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.
