Box score
Union, NJ... The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team saw their six-game winning streak snapped by New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Kean University 61-54.
The Cougars (6-10, 3-3 NJAC) notched an important NJAC South Division win taking advantage of 17 offensive rebounds to hand the Lions (10-6, 3-3 NJAC) their first loss in a month. Senior guard Vinnie Darpino (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) led all scorers with 19 points as Kean dominated the glass out-rebounding TCNJ 41-26.
The Lions struggled from the opening tip-off, never leading the game and trailing by 15 at the intermission. Down 51-31 with 8:50 remaining in the game, TCNJ mustered up a late surge to cut the lead in half but the margin was too much to overcome as Kean knocked down their charity shots from the stripe to seal the victory.
Senior Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) led TCNJ with 10 points while senior Aaron Syvertsen (Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) dropped in a trio of three pointers to tally nine points. Junior Steve Siracusa (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) also had nine points and led the team with eight rebounds.
Lions freshman Pat Szukics (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) chipped in with eight points and classmate Brandon Johnson (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) matched a career-high with seven points.
The Lions return to Packer Hall this Saturday, January 23 hosting Montclair State University at 3 p.m.