Sophomore forward DEVIN DAVIS (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Regional) nearly became the first player in school history with a quadruple-double, and led five players in double-figures in scoring for the Gothic Knights. However, the College of Staten Island led for most of the contest, and edged New Jersey City University, 84-76, in one game of the NJAC/CUNYAC Challenge played at CSI’s Sports and Rec Center.
CSI (6-2) has won four straight, and the last two in this series, which NJCU still leads comfortably, 10-4. It was the first meeting between the schools since 2001. NJCU loses its second straight to fall to 4-4. The Gothic Knights, shorthanded with 10 players available, have begun the season with an odd trend of winning two, losing two, again winning twice, before dropping both games this week. Although NJCU is playing as an independent this season, before rejoining the NJAC in 2005-06, the game pitted the top two regular season finishers in their respective leagues last year.
Davis was spectacular for NJCU, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year, while missing a triple-double by a mere block, after rejecting a career-high nine, including six in the first half. He also contributed a career and game-high seven assists in 38 minutes, shooting 6-of-19 from the field.
However, despite Davis’ play, senior guard Mike Stewart (Brooklyn, NY/George Westinghouse) led all scorers with 28 points, hitting 9-of-18 from the floor, and 4-of-6 from long range, adding four assists in 31 minutes.
Senior center John Smith (Queens, NY/Bayside), who had 27 points and 28 rebounds in his last game, added another double-double with 18 points (8-of-20) and 10 rebounds (seven defensive), and senior forward Mike Nebavlakis (Brooklyn, NY/FDR) also tallied a double-double, with 16 points (5-of-13 FG, 6-6 FT) and 15 rebounds (eight defensive).
After not scoring in Wednesday’s loss at Lycoming, junior forward BEN BALCOM (Monroe Township, NJ/St. Patrick’s-Elizabeth) matched Davis with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-12, including 3-of-7 from three-point land. He added six rebounds.
Junior center WILL MORRIS (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) had 11 points (5-of-6) off the bench, but committed five turnovers. Sophomore center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) chipped in 10 points (5-of-10), only playing 18 minutes. Senior forward
CHRISTOPHER KATES (Metuchen, NJ/Metuchen) added 10 points and six rebounds as a reserve, to key a 32-10 advantage for NJCU in bench scoring.
After NJCU scored the first four points of the game, CSI gained control with a 14-0 run. NJCU eventually tied it at 22-22, and the game was knotted five more times before a Kates jumper made it 36-34 with 2:10 left. CSI closed the half by scoring the final six points to pull in front 40-36.
That run extended to 12-2 after a Stewart trey early in the second half, as CSI built a 46-38 edge. NJCU pulled within four, 64-60, with 7:18 left after a lay-up by Williams, but CSI began to increase its advantage, leading by as many as 12 on three occasions in the second half before prevailing by eight.
NJCU only committed 11 turnovers in a cleanly played and fast-paced contest. However, the Knights shot 36.9 percent from the field (31-of-84). In contrast, CSI hit 44.8 percent of its shots (30-67), and made more free throws (19-of-25, 76.0 percent) than NJCU attempted (6-of-11).
NJCU will be off for 17 days before again competing in Staten Island, when the Knights face Clark University (MA) in the College of Staten Island Tournament of Heroes on December 28.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score New Jersey City University vs College of Staten Island 12/11/04 7 pm at Staten Island, NY (Sports & Rec Center) At Staten Island, NY (Sports & Rec Center) COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND 84, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 76 NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (4-4) Devin Davis 6-19 0-0 14; Ben Balcom 5-12 1-1 14; Will Morris 5-6 1-2 11; Christopher Kates 4-12 2-4 10; Abraham Williams 5-10 0-2 10; Namreh White 3-9 0-0 8; Rajahn Jones 2-8 2-2 6; Shaun Patterson 1-6 0-0 3; Javier Rodriguez 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 31-84 6-11 76. COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND (6-2) Stewart, Mike 9-18 6-8 28; Smith, John 8-20 2-5 18; Nebavlakis, Mike 5-13 6-6 16; Coke, Jason 4-6 1-1 9; Downing, Terry 1-3 3-3 5; Jones, Mike 2-2 0-0 5; Ulett, Carlito 1-5 1-2 3; Defazio, Billy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-67 19-25 84. New Jersey City University.... 36 40 - 76 College of Staten Island...... 40 44 - 84 3-point goals-New Jersey City University 8-25 (Ben Balcom 3-7; Devin Davis 2-3; Namreh White 2-6; Shaun Patterson 1-2; Rajahn Jones 0-3; Javier Rodriguez 0-1; Christopher Kates 0-3), College of Staten Island 5-13 (Stewart, Mike 4-6; Jones, Mike 1-1; Coke, Jason 0-1; Downing, Terry 0-1; Ulett, Carlito 0-3; Smith, John 0-1). Fouled out--New Jersey City University-None, College of Staten Island-None. Rebounds-New Jersey City University 46 (Devin Davis 12), College of Staten Island 47 (Nebavlakis, Mike 15). Assists-New Jersey City University 21 (Devin Davis 7), College of Staten Island 11 (Stewart, Mike 4). Total fouls-New Jersey City University 19, College of Staten Island 12. A-188 NJAC/CUNYAC Challenge. CSI leads series, 10-4.