JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University led by as many as 15 points in the second half before The College of New Jersey rallied, creating a dramatic final six minutes that saw four ties and a frenzied pace. With NJCU leading by one with under a minute remaining, TCNJ got the go-ahead basket with 53 seconds left and a pair of defensive stops, including a three-point try at the buzzer as the Lions upset the first place and previously conference-unbeaten Gothic Knight men's basketball team, 76-74, on January 9 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).
NJCU (8-5, 6-1 NJAC) lost for the third time in four games since opening the year at 7-2 while the Lions (8-5, 4-3 NJAC), who also have a road win over Stockton this year, pulled off another conference upset. The teams combined for 17 made three-pointers in the game, and long-distance shooting proved key in the final minutes.
The loss spoiled one of the finest free-throw shooting performances in program history. NJCU shot 22-of-25 from the line and at 88.0 percent, it is a school record for a game with at least 25 free throws attempted. TCNJ shot 74.1 percent (20-27).
NJCU fell at home for the first time this year and dropped a decision when leading with five minutes left for the first time in eight games this year (7-1). NJCU held a 65-62 decision after a made jumper by freshman small forwardJames Frazier (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth), the reigning NJAC and ECAC Metro Rookie of the Week, with 4:44 to play.
TCNJ was led by a career-high 28 points by sophomore guard Eric Murdock, Jr. (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater). He netted one more than his previous best of 27, shooting 9-of-17 overall, 3-of-5 from three-point range and 7-of-10 at the line while adding eight rebounds and five assists in a full 40 minutes despite committing eight turnovers. Murdock, who entered the game with just eight missed foul shots all year (80-88) and as the NJAC leader at 90.9 percent, missed three in the game, keeping him from a 30-point day. He netted 14 in each period.
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