The TCNJ men’s basketball team secured a 76-51 victory over Ramapo College in their final home game of the year, held Saturday afternoon in Ewing, New Jersey. The Lions improved their record to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the NJAC conference.
Nick Koch led all scorers with 19 points and added seven assists, while Khalid Bakare contributed 12 points and eight rebounds in his first collegiate start. David Alexandre recorded 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Matthew Solomon also reached double figures with 11 points.
TCNJ overcame a slow start, missing eight of its first nine shots as Ramapo took an early lead. However, the Lions responded with an 11-0 run sparked by Mason Mangione’s three-point shooting. By halftime, TCNJ led 36-27 after Koch made a buzzer-beating shot from halfcourt.
In the second half, TCNJ opened with a decisive 26-5 run that extended their lead to 63-32. Although Ramapo cut into the deficit with a brief scoring stretch, the Lions maintained control for the remainder of the game.
The Lions shot just under 40 percent from the field and converted on nearly 86 percent of their free throws. They outrebounded Ramapo by a margin of 43-31 and dominated second-chance opportunities and fastbreak points.
Coach Matt Goldsmith’s squad turned defense into offense by converting 13 Roadrunner turnovers into 16 points. The team also saw notable contributions from Mangione off the bench and career-first baskets from Leo Hinshilwood and Terrance Wood.
For Ramapo, Elijah Barlow scored 15 points while Branden Moore added 11. Jalen Thomas led his team with eight rebounds.
Next, TCNJ will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in the Jay Bilas Classic, where they are scheduled to play Denison on Friday, December 19 before facing Emory University on Saturday.
