MADISON, N.J. (December 5, 2011) – The College of New Jersey (3-2) set the tone for the game in the opening minutes making 11 of their first 20 shots en route to a 92-75 victory over Drew earlier this evening (2-5). Sophomore John Ford (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) had a career-high 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the Rangers.
Sophomore Terrell Brown (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) matched Ford, registering his second-straight double-double, with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Brown scored 11 of his 17 in the second half of play and added six assists to another solid all-around effort.
The Lions used 16 players with four of them in double figures. Skyelar Ettin paced the home team with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Both teams combined for 71 free throws, with the Rangers holding the edge converting 25-of-33 compared to 21-of-28 by the Lions.
TCNJ built a lead as high as 15 points in the first frame. The Rangers chipped away at a 12-point deficit in the closing minutes of the half thanks to Ford who had six points in the final seven seconds, including a deep three just before the halftime horn.
The Rangers carried their late, first half momentum into the early minutes of the second frame working the Lion lead down to six with 17:53 remaining in the game. The Rangers would not get any closer the remainder of the half as the Lions worked the home crowd, bringing them to their feet twice on two thunderous dunks by Kyle Cancillieri. The freshman finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Drew turned the ball over 21 times which translated into 28 Lion points. The 21 turnovers is the second most of the 2011-12 season only to the 25 in a 80-54 loss to Hood back on November 18th.
The Rangers will turn around on Wednesday and welcome cross-street rival Fairleigh Dickinson to Baldwin Gym on Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m.