Boxscore

Frederick, MD – Stockton University (4-4) built a 17-point lead in the first half but needed a layup by Zavon Johnson (Trenton/West Windsor Plainsboro South) in the closing seconds to edge Eastern Mennonite (VA) (5-4) 80-79 in the first round of the Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic at Hood College. The Ospreys won with balanced scoring, including five players in double figures.
 
Marcus Harmon (Whitesboro/Middle Twp.) led Stockton with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Johnson chipped in with 12 points and four assists. Johnson was a perfect 4-4 from the floor and 2-2 at the line.
 
Darius Jerkins (Somers Point/Mainland), Khaliq Ford (Millville/Millville) and Kashaun Barnes (Toms River/Manchester Twp.) tossed in 11 points apiece. Jerkins was 7-10 at the line (70%). As a team, Stockton shot 51 percent from the floor (25-49).
 
Jerkins scored the last five points of a 10-0 spurt that gave the Ospreys a 22-10 lead. The advantage later reached 17 at 35-18 after a three-pointer by Harmon with 5:03 on the first-half clock. Eastern Mennonite rallied to within four before two free throws by Ford and another three-pointer by Harmon made it a 40-31 Stockton lead at intermission.
 
Johnson opened the second half with two three-pointers that increased the margin to 15 at 46-31. The lead was still 11 (69-58) after a Harmon layup with 8:13 to play but gradually decreased down the stretch. Eastern Mennonite took its first lead since the opening minutes, 79-78, on a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining but Johnson sank a layup at the other end to give Stockton the 80-79 triumph.
 
Stockton continues play at the Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic tomorrow with a game against Randolph College (VA) at 1 p.m.