JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University men's basketball team picked up a much-needed victory at the friendly confines of the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 8, as the Gothic Knights defeated Ramapo College 81-65 in to get back over .500 in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play.
 
Prior to the game, fans in attendance gave a standing ovation to senior tri-captain guard Denzel Banks (Newark, NJ/East Orange Campus) as he was recognized for his accomplishment in the team's last game when he became the 30th member of the men's basketball program's illustrious 1,000-career point club.
 
As for the game itself, NJCU (7-7, 4-3 NJAC) got things started quickly against the Roadrunners (2-9, 1-6 NJAC) in the first half by taking a commanding 13-point, 22-9 lead with 13:18 to go. Senior forward Kayton Darley (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) was firing on all cylinders over the first 20 minutes and missed just one shot on eight attempts to lead all players with 15 points. When things were all said and done, Darley finished the day with a game-high 21 points (9-of-13 FGs) and Banks was just one point behind him with 20. The duo combined to go 7-of-12 from the three-point line.
 
The Gothic Knights held that double-digit lead for most of the remainder of the half before taking a 10-point, 41-31 lead into the break. Jersey City grew its lead to as many as 21 points in the second half before taking the game by 16 at the end of the afternoon.
 
NJCU started off the half with a quick 6-0 run to establish control. Moving forward, anytime Ramapo would make a little run of a few points here and there, the Gothic Knights would shut it down with some momentum-shifting buckets. It seemed that each time the Roadrunners got something going offensively, Darley or Banks would drill a three or the new big-man, freshman center Ben Todd (Woodland Hills, Calif./El Camino Real) would make a play down low to earn three points the old fashion way.
 
One other storyline heading into the game was that of senior tri-captain guard Jason Battle (Jersey City, N.J./Roselle Catholic), who played his first two collegiate seasons as a member of the Roadrunners. He averaged 30.8 minutes per game and started in all 52 appearances of his Ramapo career. He dished out 3.1 assists and scored 8.6 points per game, including 10.7 as a sophomore. In his first game against his former institution, Battle saw 28 minutes in the start, going 2-for-4 with six points and led all players with a career-high nine assists.
 
Highlights:
- In addition to Banks and Darley, sophomore forward Ryan Savoy (Lakewood, N.J./Lakewood) scored 11 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
- Todd, in his second game as a Gothic Knight, chipped in nine points off the bench to go with three boards and a block.
- Sophomore guard Hakeem Wilson (Newark, N.J./North Star Academy) came off the bench for 27 minutes, scoring eight points and dishing out four helpers.
 
What's Next:
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday night, Jan. 12, for its first meeting against Stockton University this season. The 2021 NJAC Championship rematch takes place in Galloway, N.J., and is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. tip.