By: Michael L. Damon
mdamon@jjay.cuny.edu
(212) 237-8322
Box Score
Jersey City, N.J.— The John Jay men's basketball team played arguably its most difficult team remaining on the schedule for 2011-12 and fell short late as the Bloodhounds lost to New Jersey City University 83-71 on Monday night.
The Bloodhounds had a strong game from
Jerome Alexander who blazed the way for the Bloodhounds with 35 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile
Jamar Harry chimed in with 13 points and six rebounds.
Swindon Charles added six points with a game-high 14 rebounds.
The host Gothic Knights had five players in double figures, and were led by Kaihrique Irick with 27 points. NJCU's starting five combined for 80 of the 83 points.
NJCU shot 50.8 percent (31-for-61) in the contest, including 61.3 percent (19-for-31) in the second half.
The Gothic Knights led virtually the entire contest. John Jay led early once, and though never owning a lead after the first few minutes, gave the defending New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) champions a great contest.
NJCU took a 10-point lead and was up 24-14 with 5:26 remaining. But the Bloodhounds kept the contest tight the remainder of the first half and closed out the final five minutes outscoring the Gothic Knights 11-6 to stay in the game. The Bloodhounds went into halftime down 30-25.
John Jay pulled to within two points of the lead on three straight possessions, but could not get the lead. NJCU, with a 33-31 lead, used a 15-1 run to break the game open and take a 48-32 lead.
The Bloodhounds did not go away however, and fought to get back in the contest. Down by 17 at 71-54 with 5:21 remaining, John Jay made a sweeping ferocious run to move into striking range. The Bloodhounds outscored the Gothic Knights 13-1 in a three and a half minute span and suddenly John Jay was down just five at 72-67.
But NJCU had enough left and prevented the Bloodhounds from penetrating any further into the lead as the Gothic Knights closed out the game outscoring the Bloodhounds 11-4 to preserve the lead and win.
