JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half before rallying in the second half and in a game with seven lead changes, the Gothic Knights blocked two potential tying shots in the final seconds as NJCU opened defense of its 2011 New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball championship with a 61-59 edging of Rowan University on Saturday afternoon at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on 'Coach Charlie Brown Court.'
With the win, NJCU remains perfect at 5-0 (1-0 NJAC)—its best record after five games since opening the 1991-92 season at 7-0; that season was the second of two Final Four appearances for the program. Rowan is 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the league. NJCU leads the series, which predates World War II, 57-53, with a pair of consecutive wins.
Junior swingman WALIK ALBRIGHT (Jersey City, NJ/Create Charter) carried the Knights for portions of the game and finished with game highs of 17 points (5-11 FG, 6-11 FT) and 10 rebounds, while notching his second consecutive double-double and second of his career.
Junior swingman KAIHRIQUE IRICK (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck), who missed NJCU's last game on Sunday with an injury and had not been involved in basketball activity over a 10-day span, scored all 11 of his points in the second half, including 6-of-8 from the line.