Senior swingman MARK WASHINGTON (East Orange, NJ/West Side) returned to his high scoring ways, leading the way with 24 points, as New Jersey City University built a double-digit first half lead and routed first-place Richard Stockton College, 86-65, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
NJCU (5-2, 3-1 NJAC) won its fourth consecutive game to grab a share of first place in the conference. Stockton (5-2, 3-1) had been unbeaten in the league entering the match-up, and saw its four-game winning streak halted.
Washington, who had his streak of 24 consecutive games in double figures snapped on December 2, scored exactly that many to lead all players, as he shot 8-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from three point range, while grabbing six rebounds. Sophomore shooting guard NAMREH WHITE (Plainfield, NJ/Smith, NC) scored 13 points in 12 reserve minutes, and was just two shy of his career high, as he went 5-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range.
Freshman swingman DANA JOHN (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain) tallied 11 points on 5-of-9, and senior center JAMES KAISER (Stewartsville, NJ/Columbia) continued to play well at home, notching 10 points (4-8 FG), five rebounds and four assists.
Also for the Gothic Knights, junior center DEVIN DAVIS (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Regional) registered nine points, hitting all four of his shots, while providing nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Junior point guard ALEX MIRABEL (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) had nine points, tied his career-high with nine rebounds (seven offensive) and dished three assists.
Stockton was paced by junior guard Kris Polk (Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson) with 18 points (7-18 FG), seven assists and four steals. Senior forward Tobias Smith (Newark, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) finished with 13 points (5-14 FG), five rebounds and four steals, while freshman forward Derrick Williams (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, shooting 4-for-4. Senior forward Miguel Rodriguez (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) had a game-high 11 rebounds, with nine points (4-8 FG)>
The Knights shot 53.1 percent in the first half (17-32) with six threes, while RSC struggled making just 9-of-32 (28.1%). That shooting discrepancy allowed NJCU to capitalize. The Ospreys scored the first four points of the game before NJCU went on a 15-2 run to seize a 15-6 advantage and control of the contest just 7:26 into the game. The Knights led by 20 at two moments of the period.
The Knights continued to roll in the second half, and led by between 17 and 25 points for most of the period. RSC drew within 12, 76-64, with 4:37 left, before NJCU outscored the Ospreys 10-1 down the stretch to win by 21.
NJCU finished shooting 49.3 percent overall (33-67), with 10 threes, despite making 10-of-23 at the line (49.3%). RSC finished at 37.3 percent (25-67) after a 45.7 percent second half (16-35). However, the Ospreys made half as many threes as NJCU, converting 5-of-18. The Knights also out-rebounded RSC, 47-39. The turnovers were even, 22-22, but NJCU reeled off eight more steals (17-9).
NJCU returns to action on Saturday, December 10 at 8 p.m. when it hosts Ramapo College in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. The Ospreys host Kean University at 4 p.m. the same day.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score Richard Stockton College vs New Jersey City University 12/07/05 8 pm at Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) At Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 86, RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE 65 RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE (5-2, 3-1 NJAC) Kris Polk 7-18 4-4 18; Tobias Smith 5-14 0-0 13; Derrick Williams 4-4 1-4 10; Miguel Rodriguez 4-8 1-2 9; Kevin Holmes 3-8 1-3 8; Jon Greene 0-3 2-2 2; Chris Jones 1-6 0-0 2; Sid Jackson 1-4 0-0 2; Chad Davis 0-1 1-2 1; Mike Zupa 0-0 0-0 0; Joe Albano 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-67 10-17 65. NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (5-2, 3-1 NJAC) Mark Washington 8-14 4-7 24; Namreh White 5-7 0-3 13; Dana John 5-9 0-0 11; James Kaiser 4-8 2-5 10; Alex Mirabel 3-8 3-4 9; Devin Davis 4-4 1-4 9; Charles Coles 2-4 0-0 5; Ben Balcom 1-6 0-0 3; Dashan Martin 1-1 0-0 2; Jamal Slappy 0-3 0-0 0; Arshen Hunter 0-3 0-0 0; Aaron Desir 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-67 10-23 86. Richard Stockton College...... 25 40 - 65 New Jersey City University.... 43 43 - 86 3-point goals-Richard Stockton College 5-18 (Tobias Smith 3-9; Derrick Williams 1-1; Kevin Holmes 1-3; Kris Polk 0-5), New Jersey City University 10-28 (Mark Washington 4-9; Namreh White 3-4; Dana John 1-4; Ben Balcom 1-4; Charles Coles 1-3; Jamal Slappy 0-1; Arshen Hunter 0-1; Alex Mirabel 0-2). Fouled out--Richard Stockton College-None, New Jersey City University-None. Rebounds-Richard Stockton College 39 (Miguel Rodriguez 11), New Jersey City University 47 (Devin Davis 9; Alex Mirabel 9). Assists-Richard Stockton College 13 (Kris Polk 7), New Jersey City University 25 (Devin Davis 6). Total fouls-Richard Stockton College 20, New Jersey City University 15. A-198 NJCU wins fourth consecutive game.