(Galloway, NJ) – Richard Stockton (2-0) gave head coach Gerry Matthews his 515th career victory as the Ospreys defeated Farmingdale State (1-1) 78-58 in the championship game of the Stockton Tip-Off Tournament. With the win, Matthews surpassed former Princeton coach Pete Carrill's all-time record for coaching victories in New Jersey men's college basketball.
Matthews, in his 27th year at Stockton, now has a career record of 515-217. He has guided Stockton to two NJAC championships apiece in three different decades (1980's, 1990's, 2000's) and his Osprey teams have never had a losing season. Matthews ranks among the top 20 active Division III coaches in winning percentage (.704) and victories (515). The dean of the NJAC, he has led Stockton to 13 NCAA Tournament berths, highlighted by two Final Four appearances (1987, 2009), and 14 20-win seasons.
The Ospreys wasted little time in taking the early lead as they opened up a 22-15 advantage. Stockton then stretched that margin by finishing on a 29-5 run to take a commanding halftime advantage at 41-20. Josh Blamon (Cinnaminson/Cinnaminson) scored 15 of his team-high 20 points during the first half and the Stockton defense held Farmingdale State to just 8-24 (33.3%) shooting, including 1-12 (8.3%) from three-point range.
A three-pointer by Blamon gave the Ospreys a 52-27 lead with 14:44 to play but the Rams cut the margin to 15 with 8:29 remaining. Rich Suhr (Toms River/Toms River East) answered with consecutive three-pointers that halted the rally attempt and Stockton cruised down the stretch to prevail 78-58. Suhr netted 10 second-half points and Darnell McCargo (Woodlynne/Collingswood) added nine.
Suhr and McCargo each tallied 16 points in support of Blamon. Tournament MVP Kevin Johnson (Paulsboro/Paulsboro) controlled the play from his point guard position, tossing in nine points, dishing six assists and grabbing four rebounds. Johnson committed just one turnover in a total of 60 minutes played as he steered the Ospreys to the two wins over the weekend.
A.J. Matthews led the Rams with 20 points and nine rebounds while Ryan Davis added 11 markers for the Rams. McCargo, Blamon, Matthews, Penn State-Abington's Mike Marvin and Neumann's Rich Whitten were named to the All-Tournament Team along with the MVP Johnson.
Stockton will begin the NJAC season on Tuesday evening as they take on Kean University in the nightcap of a men's/women's doubleheader. Game time is scheduled for 8 pm. Farmingdale State will travel to Medger Evers for a Wednesday night clash at 7 pm.
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