SOURCE: http://www.njcugothicknights.com/news/2018/2/14/201802-14_MBASKETBALL_at_Stockton.aspx

GALLOWAY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University men's basketball team had its worst performance of the season and it came at a bad time— facing a Stockton University club that needed to win to keep its New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament hopes alive. Stockton built an 11-point halftime advantage and extended it in the second half before upsetting the Gothic Knights, 87-66, on February 14 at the Stockton Sports Center.
 
NJCU was seeking to win 20 games in the regular season for the first time since its last Final Four campaign in 1991-92, but will instead enter the NJAC Tournament with a 19-6 record and 13-5 in the NJAC. Ramapo (19-6, 15-3 NJAC) clinched the league's No. 1 seed with an 82-75 home win over Rowan (13-12, 9-9 NJAC). Meanwhile, TCNJ (19-6, 14-4 NJAC) edged Rutgers-Newark, 67-62, to solidify the No. 2 seed.
 
Stockton (15-10, 9-9 NJAC) finished in a three-way tie in the standings with Rowan and William Paterson (14-11, 9-9 NJAC) but was the odd team out after tiebreakers were factored in.
 
NJCU will face No. 6 seeded William Paterson on Saturday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in the NJAC Quarterfinals with the winner traveling to No. 2 TCNJ in the NJAC Semifinals in Ewing, N.J. on Wednesday, February 21 (7 p.m.). Meanwhile, No. 4 Montclair State (17-8, 11-7 NJAC) hosts No. 5 Rowan with the winner taking on Ramapo in the semifinals.
 
Stockton had a 42-18 margin in points in the paint and it took exactly two minutes for the game to get away from the Knights. NJCU trailed by two with 7:00 left in the first half (26-24) before the Ospreys unleashed a 10-0 run to build a 12-point, 36-24 run with 5:00 to go. Stockton led 45-34 at the half.
 
NJCU was able to get the deficit into single digits (48-39) in the opening minute of the second half. But Stockton responded with a 9-1 streak to grab a 17-point lead (57-40) with 14:46 remaining and NJCU had no comeback in its arsenal on this night. Stockton led by as many as 23 points with 12:09 remaining (65-42)—NJCU's largest deficit of the season. The Knights were able to draw within 12 with 7:12 left but no closer.
 
Stockton had two players combine for 49 points. Stockton senior guard Zavon Johnson (Trenton, N.J.)led the Ospreys with a game-high 25 points (9-15 FG), knocking down 7-of-10 three-point tries in 35 minutes. The rest of the team made two threes. Junior guard Kashaun Barnes (Toms River, N.J.) came off the bench to score 24 points (9-17 FG) with five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
 
NJCU lost despite 23 points from junior shooting guard Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck). He was 5-of-8 from three-point range and 8-of-17 from the floor. Sophomore power forward Sam Toney(Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) scored 12 points in the first half and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
 
Also for the Knights, senior point guard Ruben Acosta (Waterbury, CT/Bogota) had a career high 12 points, coming off the bench to shoot 4-of-6 from three-point range in 14 minutes; it was twice his previous scoring high and he entered the game with just 60 points in two seasons. Freshman center Chika Wosu (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter)) had 10 points (4-7 FG). NJCU shot 35.2 percent from the field (25-71) but hit 11 threes in the loss (11-33).
 
Stockton shot 49.3 percent in the win (34-69). Senior forward Kevin Tull (Millville, N.J.) contributed 18 points (7-12 FG) and nine rebounds. Senior forward Darius Jerkins (Somers Point, N.J.) had 12 points (6-9 FG) and nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Kevin Allen (Atlantic City, N.J.) grabbed eight rebounds.
 
NOTABLES:

• Series:  84th meeting; NJCU leads, 48-36.
• NJCU receiving 19 points in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.
• NJCU ranked No. 1 in the first NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional rankings of the 2017-18 season (February 14, 2018) for the second straight week.
• NJCU was without starting small forward James Julius (Linden, NJ/Linden) and backup center R.J. Thomas (East Orange, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep), who both missed the game with injuries.
• Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) scored in double figures for the 41st time in 54 career games. He has scored 856 career points.
• Lavrone Green (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) reached double figures in scoring for the 19th time in 25 games as a Gothic Knight. For Green, it was the 36th double digit scoring effort of his collegiate career.
• Chika Wosu (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy Charter)) scored in double figures for the sixth time this season.
• Ruben Acosta (Waterbury, CT/Bogota)'s previous career high was six at TCNJ on January 22.

 
UP NEXT:
When NJCU hosts William Paterson in the NJAC quarterfinals on February 17, the Knights will be seeking to defeat the Pioneers for the third time this season. NJCU won 87-83 (1 OT) on November 29 at home and posted a 101-85 result in Wayne on January 24. It will be the 152nd known meeting in a series NJCU leads, 82-69. The Knights have won the last six meetings. It will be the 10th meeting all-time in the NJAC Tournament between the schools. William Paterson is 7-2 all-time against NJCU in the conference tournament, including a 63-61 (1 OT) win in Wayne on February 24, 2015 in the NJAC semifinals. NJCU's last win over the Pioneers in the NJAC Tournament was an 85-72 home court win on February 26, 2004, also in the NJAC semifinals.
 
Ticket prices are $5.00 for adults; $2.00 for children, students, and senior citizens. A special rate for NJCU students will be announced.
 
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