New Jersey City University led by as many as 30 points, and extended their winning streak to 10 consecutive games, as the Gothic Knights drew closer to sealing the No. 1 seed throughout the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament, as NJCU routed Montclair State University, 90-66, in an NJAC North Division game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. It was the 145th meeting all-time between NJCU and MSU.
With the win, NJCU improves to 16-7 overall and 10-2 in the NJAC, and records its 11th consecutive home court victory. NJCU is 11-1 overall since January 1, including the 10 consecutive wins. NJCU has also won 10 consecutive NJAC games since starting the year 0-2 in the league.
NJCU improves to 218-14 all-time when scoring 90 or more in a contest. MSU (10-12, 3-8 NJAC) is eliminated from NJAC Tournament contention with the loss. NJCU swept the season series from Montclair for a second consecutive year, and has now won four straight and 5-of-6 over the Red Hawks.
If NJCU can defeat Ramapo College in the final regular season conference game on February 17 in Mahwah, NJ, the Gothic Knights will be the No. 1 overall seed in the NJAC Tournament, which opens on February 19. NJCU defeated Ramapo, 73-66, in the first meeting between the schools on January 24.
Four players reached double figures for NJCU and another nearly notched a triple-double. Senior center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) had 16 points (8-14 FG) and eight rebounds in only 20 minutes, and sophomore swingman DANA JOHN (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain East (Pa.)) bagged 15 points in 25 minutes, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range. John extended his single-season record for threes to 73, and has 119 in two years.
Junior forward MARQUES HILL (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) shot 6-of-8 from the field and collected 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. Sophomore guard KEVIN TUCKER (Jersey City, NJ/Ferris) had 10 points (4-7 FG) and four assists in 18 minutes. Senior point guard ALEX MIRABEL (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) just missed a triple-double, finishing with nine rebounds, eight points and eight assists, tying his career high in helpers.
Three other NJCU players had at least six minutes, and all 12 players on the roster logged at least nine minutes, while 11 scored. NJCU had a 12-0 advantage on fast-breaks and translated 19 MSU turnovers into 25 points. NJCU, which shot 49.4 percent overall (38-77), out-rebounded MSU, 47-35.
Montclair had three players in double figures. Freshman forward Charles Miller (Linden, NJ/Linden) finished with a double-double and game-highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes, shooting 9-of-15, before fouling out. Senior center Eric Sylvester (Orange, NJ/Orange) added 16 points (6-11 FG). Sophomore guard Donald Reid (Perth Amboy, NJ/Cardinal McCarey) chipped in 13 points (4-7 FG; 3-4 3FG), and rookie guard Mike Hern (Hamburg, NJ/Wallkill Valley) tallied nine.
The game was competitive early, with NJCU leading 16-14 with 13:03 left in the first half. NJCU scored the next seven points to pull in front by nine, 23-14, and never trailed again. MSU closed within four points at 6:37 of the opening half, 27-23, before the Knights unleashed a 15-2 run on a fast-break lay-up and free-throw by John at 2:54 to pull ahead by 17, 42-25. NJCU led at the break, 46-31.
In the second half, NJCU led 53-40 at 17:15 before putting the game out of reach with another huge spurt, this time a 14-2 swing for a 67-42 lead at 12:45. Every starter scored at least two points during the tear. NJCU’s largest lead was by 30, at 8:36 (76-46) and 7:04 (80-50), before clearing the bench. NJCU had 25 total assists, marking the sixth time this year the team has dished more than 20.
NJCU will play its final home regular season game on Wednesday, February 14 at 8 p.m. when it hosts Lincoln University (PA) on senior day in Jersey City. MSU is back in action that night when it visits Ramapo at 7:30 p.m.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score Montclair State University vs New Jersey City University 02/10/07 8 p.m. at Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) At Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 90, MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY 66 MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY (10-12, 3-8 NJAC) Charles Miller 9-15 1-4 19; Eric Sylvester 6-11 4-6 16; Donald Reid 4-7 2-2 13; Mike Hern 4-9 0-0 9; Ken Dudley 2-12 0-0 4; Enrico Younger 1-3 1-2 3; Will Bishop 1-2 0-0 2; John Byrne 0-2 0-0 0; Steve Hansen 0-0 0-0 0; Maurice Torres 0-4 0-0 0; Garan Dickson 0-0 0-0 0; Geoff Grivalsky 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-66 8-14 66. NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (16-7, 10-2 NJAC) Abraham Williams 8-14 0-2 16; Dana John 5-8 3-3 15; Marques Hill 6-8 1-1 13; Kevin Tucker 4-7 2-5 10; Alex Mirabel 4-7 0-0 8; Aaron Desir 3-5 0-0 7; Shy Martinez 2-6 2-2 7; Josh Lopez 2-4 0-0 6; Luis Dominguez 2-7 0-4 4; Divine Lyles 1-4 0-0 2; Bruce Rice 1-2 0-0 2; Jamal Slappy 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 38-77 8-17 90. Montclair State University.... 31 35 - 66 New Jersey City University.... 46 44 - 90 3-point goals--Montclair State University 4-16 (Donald Reid 3-4; Mike Hern 1-3; Ken Dudley 0-3; John Byrne 0-1; Maurice Torres 0-4; Geoff Grivalsky 0-1), New Jersey City University 6-16 (Dana John 2-3; Josh Lopez 2-3; Shy Martinez 1-3; Aaron Desir 1-1; Divine Lyles 0-3; Alex Mirabel 0-1; Kevin Tucker 0-2). Fouled out--Montclair State University-Charles Miller, New Jersey City University-Luis Dominguez. Rebounds--Montclair State University 35 (Charles Miller 13), New Jersey City University 47 (Alex Mirabel 9). Assists--Montclair State University 8 (Ken Dudley 3), New Jersey City University 25 (Alex Mirabel 8). Total fouls--Montclair State University 19, New Jersey City University 16. Technical fouls--Montclair State University-None, New Jersey City University-None. A-348 NJCU extends winning streak to 10 consecutive games and is 11-1 in 2007. NJCU extends home court winning streak to 11 consecutive games.