UNION, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | It wasn't a pretty win, but with five games remaining in the regular season, New Jersey City University will take it. NJCU led by 10 with 5:52 remaining before Kean University scored the next 10 points and tied the game with 2:55 to play. But that was the end of the offensive production for both schools as NJCU hit a free throw with 2:03 left and the Cougars missed their final five shots from the field and the line, as the Knights escaped with a 50-49 New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball win on Saturday afternoon at Harwood Arena.
NJCU, entering the game in last place in the five-team NJAC North Division—one game behind Montclair State University, Ramapo College and Rutgers-Newark—faced a must-win scenario and got that W, improving to 15-5 and 5-4 in the NJAC, to keep pace with MSU and Ramapo which both were victorious on Saturday. Rutgers-Newark dropped a 63-56 decision at home to NJAC South leading Richard Stockton College, meaning NJCU and Newark are now tied for fourth.
Meanwhile, Kean, a year after winning the NJAC South Division, fell to 3-18 overall and 2-7 in the league. NJCU leads the all-time series which dates to 1931-32, 92-33. NJCU has won 10 of the last 12 meetings between the clubs.
The 50 points are the fewest for NJCU in a win since December 5, 1981—a 49-46 road win over then Stockton State College. Meanwhile, NJCU held an opponent under 50 points for the third time this year.