SOURCE: http://www.njcugothicknights.com/news/2018/1/20/201801-20_MBASKETBALL_vs_Rutgers-Camden.aspx
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University jumped out to a 21-4 lead and posted its largest margin of victory this season with a 76-54 outcome against Rutgers University-Camden in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on January 20 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center and 'Coach Charlie Brown Court.'
NJCU improves to 14-3 and 8-2 in the NJAC while shooting exactly 15-of-32 in each half and 46.9 percent for the game and knocking down nine threes (9-20, .450). NJCU also outrebounded Rutgers-Camden (3-14, 1-10 NJAC) 41-26, including 13-3 on the offensive glass.
NJCU's reserves outscored the Camden bench 32-2 and 10 different Gothic Knights scored at least three points. NJCU also outscored the Scarlet Raptors in the paint, 40-20.
Sophomore power forward Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) generated his fourth consecutive double-double and eighth of the season, scoring 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-5 FT) with 13 rebounds (11 defensive), two assists and two steals in only 19 minutes of action. The NJAC's top three-point shooter did not attempt a three pointer for the first time in 45 career games.
Newly-added sophomore guard Jeff Haddock (Burlington Township, NJ/Willingboro), in his second contest for NJCU after transferring from Rowan, scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half and knocked down three triples (3-6 FG) while shooting 5-of-11 from the field to lead the bench production in 21 minutes.
Junior point guard Shaquan Worthy (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Central) had eight assists, six points, six rebounds, and five steals in a full effort and junior small forward James Julius (Linden, NJ/Linden)added eight points, six rebounds and three assists. Junior shooting guard Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck), senior shooting guard Gene Campbell (Carteret, NJ/East Brunswick Tech) and rookie center Chika Wosu (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter)) each added seven points.
The Raptors got a game-high 20 points (8-13 FG) from senior guard Vincent Anfield, Jr. (Mount Holly, N.J.) while senior guard Marcus Taylor (Somerdale, N.J.) and freshman guard Terrance Harris (Burlington Township, N.J.) each finished with nine points. Camden shot 40.8 percent in the game (20-49) and committed 20 turnovers.
NJCU scored the first seven points of the game and led 16-4 behind early points from Green (7), Wosu (5), and Toney (4) and pushed the margin to 19-4 after a wide open layup by Julius off a Toney dish. NJCU pushed the lead to 21-4 on a Toney bucket with 11:58 to go in the opening half.
The Knights led by as many as 21 (36-15) when Worthy scored in transition with four minutes left in the half and 37-24 at the break. Haddock scored 10 off the bench to help give the Knights a 13-0 margin in bench scoring at the break. Toney had eight rebounds and seven points in just nine minutes in the first half.
The Knights cruised from there in the second half, getting its entire lineup involved in the lopsided win and led by as many as 27 points, 76-49, when sophomore transfer center R.J. Thomas (East Orange, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) converted off a steal—just moments after junior small forward Marquis Blackwell buried a three from the right sideline on the first shot he attempted this season. He joined the roster for the first time this week.
QUOTABLES:
Post-game interview with Gene Campbell (Carteret, NJ/East Brunswick Tech), Jeff Haddock(Burlington Township, NJ/Willingboro) and R.J. Thomas (East Orange, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep):
https://www.facebook.com/NJCUGothicKnights/videos/10155595771499915/
NOTABLES:
- Series: 68th meeting. NJCU has dominated the all-time series, 63-5, and have won 25 of the last 26 meetings and 53 of the last 55, including an 86-83 win in Camden, N.J. on December 2.
- NJCU is 14-3 to open a season for the second straight year.
- NJCU receiving 18 points in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.
- Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) scored in double figures for the 33rd time in 46 career games.
- Toney reached double figures in rebounds for the 14th time in his career and ninth time this year.
- Toney produced his 13th career double-double and eighth of the season.
- Jeff Haddock (Burlington Township, NJ/Willingboro) scored in double figures for the second straight game to open his NJCU career and for the 21st time in 41 career games between Rowan and NJCU.
UP NEXT:
In the first of two meetings this week with rival The College of New Jersey, the Gothic Knights will make up a contest postponed due to snow on December 9 when NJCU heads to Ewing, N.J. on Monday, January 22 at 8 p.m. It will be the 142nd known meeting during the NJAC era (since 1955-56). NJCU leads all-time, 76-45, including a 77-69 win in Ewing in the last meeting on February 21, 2017, in the NJAC semifinals. TCNJ enters 14-3 overall and 9-1 in the league—winners of five straight.
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