SOURCE: https://njcugothicknights.com/news/2018/11/21/201811-20_MBASKETBALL_at_Kean.aspx
UNION, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | No. 16 ranked New Jersey City University used a big run at the end of the first half to open up separation before blowing out Kean University, 92-67, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools on November 20 at Harwood Arena. Five players scored in double figures for the Gothic Knights (3-1, 1-0 NJAC), including junior First-Team Preseason All-American Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) who moved within 15 points of 1,000 points already in his career.
Toney scored 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting in only 23 minutes of action and added five boards while sophomore shooting guard Denzel Banks (Newark, NJ/(East Orange Campus) came off the bench to shoot 7-of-10 (2-2 3FG) and net 18 points in just 16 minutes while grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
Senior point guard Shaquan Worthy (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Central) came off the bench to shoot 5-of-7 and score 11 points in 20 minutes, adding three steals and senior shooting guard Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) contributed 11 points (4-8 FG) in 13 reserve minutes. Senior power forward Yuri Brutus (Roselle, NJ/Roselle Park) finished with 10 points in 18 minutes. Sophomore center Chika Wosu (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter)) added seven points, seven rebounds and three steals and senior point guard James Richardson (Jersey City, NJ/Snyder) tallied four assists.
NJCU held a 15-8 edge in offensive rebounding and led by as many as 29 points late in the second half. NJCU converted 19-of-25 from the line (.760).
There were nine lead changes in the first half and Kean (1-4, 0-1 NJAC) held a 28-21 advantage with 8:32 to go in the opening half. But NJCU ignited from there, outscoring the Cougars 27-7 the rest of the period. NJCU took the lead for good with 6:29 left in the half and with the game still competitive at 33-31 with 4:04 to go in the half, the Knights scored the next six points on threes by Banks and Worthy and another triple by Green pushed the margin into double figures the rest of the game.
All told, NJCU produced a 15-4 run in the final 3:39 of the opening half. NJCU outscored Kean 44-32 in the second half.
Freshman point guard Jailen Jamison (Bronx, N.Y.) scored 14 for Kean (6-13 FG) and freshman guard Jared Latane (Lawnside, N.J.) finished with 10 points. The Cougars were limited to just 4-of-19 three-point shooting in the game (21.1 percent).
NOTABLES:
- Series: 139th known meeting. NJCU leads all-time, 102-37, and has won the last nine meetings.
- NJCU ranked No. 16 by D3hoops.com
- Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) scored in double figures for the 47th time in 60 career games. He has scored 985 career points and will have a chance to become the 29th member of NJCU's 1000-point club and the first since current assistant coach Walik Albright reached the milestone in 2014.
- Toney scored at least 20 points in a game for the 19th time in his career and the 16th time in his last 31 games.
- Denzel Banks (Newark, NJ/(East Orange Campus) scored in double figures for the second straight game and the second time in four games this year.
- Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) scored in double figures for the 22nd time in 31 games as a Gothic Knight.
- Shaquan Worthy (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Central) scored in double figures for the sixth time in his career.
- Yuri Brutus (Roselle, NJ/Roselle Park) scored in double figures for the second time in four games this year and the 21st time in his career.
UP NEXT:
- NJCU will play its first home game of the 2018-19 season when it hosts Farmingdale State College (3-0, 1-0 Skyline) on Saturday, November 24 (2 p.m.) at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court). It will be the 12th meeting in a series NJCU leads, 9-2.
- General Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children/seniors; NJCU students are admitted free with student ID. As part of the NJAC's Cans Across the Conference food drive initiative, all fans who bring three (3) canned or non-perishable items will be admitted free.
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