Basketball

Despite the College’s loss to Montclair State University on Feb. 23, the team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament. The Lions defeated Hilbert College 61-42 on Friday, March 2, but ultimately fell to Rochester Institute of Technology just a day later by a score of 79-76, ending the team’s spectacular season.

Coming into the tournament, head coach Chessie Jackson knew that the team felt further motivation to win. […]

As the second seed, the Lions beat Stockton University, 70-56, on Feb. 20 at Packer Hall in the NJAC semifinals. The team was then knocked out by Montclair State University, 58-51, in the NJAC championship on Friday, Feb. 23.
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The Lions suffered a tough 95-86 loss against William Paterson University in the New Jersey Athletic Conference semifinals at Packer Hall on Feb. 21.
Sophomore guard Randall Walko wasn’t surprised by the Lions’ loss. […]

The Lions traveled to Rutgers-Newark on Feb. 14 and defeated the team by a score of 67-62 in Lions’ last game of the regular season.

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While Rutgers University-Newark celebrated senior night on Feb. 14, the Lions celebrated their 20th win in the regular season finale, 57-41.

The win marks the first time the women’s basketball team achieved 20 wins since the 2008-09 season, in which the Lions advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four.

The Lions’ dominance came in quarter-long spurts, beginning in the first 10 minutes of the game. Sophomore forward Jen Byrne opened things up for the College with three consecutive field goals while displaying her range and scoring creativity. The first basket came from a layup down at the paint, followed by a three-pointer and a mid-range jump shot. […]

Despite the heavy rain, Packer Hall was filled with spectators, students and family members from both ends of the court to celebrate the women’s basketball team’s senior day on Saturday, Feb. 10. […]

The men’s basketball team had a great rebound week when they defeated William Paterson University, 74-70, on Feb. 7. On the same day, the NCAA announced the team was ranked No. 6 in the Atlantic region. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Lions senior day, the Lions defeated Montclair State University, 94-78.

The Lions had trouble with their offensive play early in the game, missing layups and committing turnovers. William Paterson took advantage midway through the first half when they put 29 points on the scoreboard. But William Paterson didn’t stay consistent with their lead as they lost scoring opportunities. The College kept the score tight and ended up with a 33-29 deficit going into halftime. […]

Despite a tough week for the College, the men’s basketball team played its heart out. The Lions first dropped a home loss against Rowan University, 93-84, on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Later on Saturday, Feb. 3, the team endured a 64-60 loss to Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey.

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While the Philadelphia Eagles flew high this week for a Super Bowl win, the women’s basketball team killed two birds of the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the Lions defeated Rowan University, 87-77, in Packer Hall. The team then trekked north to Mahwah, New Jersey and plowed through Ramapo College, 74-55, on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The Lions were on top of Rowan throughout the game. Senior guard Charlotte Schum scored the Lions’ first points off a jump shot. Afterwards, senior forward Nikki Schott caught a defensive rebound and sent a pass to sophomore forward Jen Byrne. […]

The women’s basketball team found themselves at both ends of the scoreboard this week. The Lions were outmatched at Stockton University, losing 68-45, on Jan. 24. The team then dismantled New Jersey City University on the road by a score of 95-32 on Saturday, Jan. 27.
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Taylor, a senior interdisciplinary business major, has been on the College’s men’s basketball team since his sophomore year — but his love for the sport started when he was just 5 years old. He learned the basics of the game, such as dribbling and layups, at The Boys and Girls Club of Newark.
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So far this season, the Lions are currently undefeated at home and hold a 13-4 overall record while dominating the New Jersey Athletic Conference with an 8-2 record. The team has already won more games than last season, when the Lions only had 11 wins.
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The Lions outlasted Kean University, 78-73, in overtime at Packer Hall. On Jan. 17, the team defeated conference foe Rutgers University-Camden 98-88, at home. […]

The Lions won their home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 29, defeating Stockton University 95-84. They then defeated Kean University, 76-64, in Union, New Jersey on Saturday Dec. 2. With these wins, the Lions improved to 5-1 this season and 3-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
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