Box Score
Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey men’s basketball remained unbeaten in 2010 as they rolled to their sixth straight win over Rutgers University-Newark 71-63.
The Lions(10-5, 3-2 NJAC) registered a critical New Jersey Athletic Conference victory defeating a quality Scarlet Raiders (11-5, 3-3 NJAC) squad in Packer Hall. Senior Aaron Syvertsen (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) led all scorers with 20 points while junior Steven Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) recorded a double-double grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with 10 points.
Senior William Jett (Brown Mills, NJ/Pemberton) was instrumental off the bench scoring 14 points and collecting seven boards. Senior Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) added 16 points and three steals for TCNJ.
The Lions ran like a well-oiled machine in the opening half shooting 56 percent while committing just six turnovers. Syvertsen put on a show in the first 15 minutes scoring 20 points draining seven of his first nine shots to give TCNJ a 41-31 advantage at the intermission.
The Lions never relinquished the lead in the second half, but couldn’t seem to put the tenacious Rutgers-Newark squad away until the closing minutes. Senior James Johnson (Summit, NJ/Summit) drained a three-pointer to pull the Scarlet Raiders to within five at 55-50.
Jett’s put-back pushed TCNJ’s lead to eight with 2:26 remaining as the Lions scored their final 10 points from the foul line to put the game on ice.
Johnson led the Scarlet Raiders with 12 points while senior Ryan Gillens (Newark, NJ/Eastside) chipped in with 11 points. Senior DeShawn Singleton (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) was a force under the boards collecting a team-high eight boards.
The Lions travel to Kean University this Wednesday, January 20 for an 8 p.m. start. TCNJ returns home on Saturday, January 23 to host Montclair State University.
The Scarlet Raiders take on Kean University in Union, NJ on Saturday, January 23.