Men’s basketball defeats Rutgers-Newark 78-66 to pick up second NJAC win

JERSEY CITY – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men’s basketball team secured its second NJAC victory as it earned a hard-fought 78-66 victory over Rutgers-Newark.

The Gothic Knights (5-2, 2-0 NJAC) shot a season-high 50.8% (31-61) from the field, while Rutgers-Newark (4-4, 1-1 NJAC) shot 37.1% ( 23-61). 62). NJCU also shot 4 of 9 (44.4%) from three-point range and 75% (12-16) from the free throw line. The Scarlet Raiders made just 26.7% (4-15) of their three-point attempts and 80% (16-20) from the line. NJCU led in several categories, including points off turnovers (18-16), bench points (27-8), team points (46-36) and fast break points (19-14). Both teams scored 16 second chance points, but the Gothic Knights’ overall efficiency and play strength were key to their victory.

Senior security guard Jaheim Lewis (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) led the Gothic Knights with a season-high 20 points (8-15 FG) and 12 rebounds, marking his first 20-point performance and second double-double of the season. Senior security guard Isaiah Johnson-Williams (Jersey City, NJ/Don Bosco) added a season-high 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-3 3P), along with two blocks and two steals. Junior Bakhi Rogers-Robinson (Orange, NJ/West Caldwell Tech) He matched his career high with 15 points (7-14 FG) and set a season high with five rebounds. Senior security guard Hakeem Wilson (Newark, NJ/North Star Academy) filled the statistics with 11 points (5-5 FT), seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals. The Scarlet Raiders were led by Levi Holton, who recorded 20 points and three rebounds. Shy’Heed Jenkins-Floyd also contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.

The first half was a closely fought contest with the two teams staying within six points of each other throughout. The Green and Gold went into halftime with a slim 34-33 lead, making 48.1% of their shots from the field and 50% from distance. The Scarlet Raiders had their largest lead early in the game at 7-2, just 2:37 minutes into the game. Johnson-Williams helped NJCU regain the lead (9-7) after about 14 minutes with a three-pointer and two free throws. The teams traded baskets, but the Gothic Knights eventually built their largest lead at 19-13 thanks to contributions from Johnson-Williams and a jumper from the junior center Raymond Ezike (Newark, NJ/Westside). Rutgers-Newark briefly took a 33-32 lead with 48 seconds left after Pascal Dodard scored two free throws. However, Rogers-Robinson responded with a jumper assisted by Lewis, giving the Green and Gold a one-point lead before halftime.

After halftime, the teams traded baskets all the way to the senior forward Avante Gilbert’s (Paterson, NJ/International) The jumper at 14:34 sparked a 12-3 run and gave the Gothic Knights a 10-point lead with 10:41 left. The Scarlet Raiders responded with a 9-0 run to close within one point at 7:58. With 2:38 left, Rutgers-Newark cut it to a two-possession game (67-62), but the junior forward added a layup Arterio Williams (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) and Lewis, along with a three-pointer from Johnson-Williams with 58 seconds left, gave NJCU a double-digit lead at 74-64. Wilson sealed the 78-66 victory by going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 40 seconds.

NEXT:

The Gothic Knights return to host Rowan on Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m

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