Boxscore
Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (8-5, 3-4 NJAC) outscored #24 New Jersey City (12-3, 6-2 NJAC) 42-26 in the second half and pulled a 70-65 upset on Wednesday night.
Tom Catanoso (Cape May CH/Middle Twp.) topped the Ospreys with 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 34 seconds left to seal the win.
The Ospreys struggled from the field during the first half, shooting just 8-21 (38.1%) and falling behind 39-28 at the break. Stockton was able to stay relatively close, until the Knights finished the half on a 7-1 run.
Kashaun Barnes (Toms River/Manchester Twp.) scored 11 markers in the first half to keep Stockton within striking distance.
Stockton began their surge right away in the second half, using a 17-6 run, in a span of just over six minutes, to take a 45-44 lead. Five points each by
Khaliq Ford (Millville/Millville) and
Brandon Hamilton (Camden/Paulsboro) led the way. The Gothic Knights responded to retake the lead at 49-48 with 11:55 remaining and the two squads exchanged the lead four more times heading into the final 2:22.
With the game knotted at 63-63, a free throw by
Marcus Harmon (Whitesboro/Middle Twp.) gave Stockton the lead by one at 1:52. Catanoso hit a trey with 34 seconds left put the Ospreys up by 67-63, then swished two foul shots for a 69-63 count. Freshman
Steve Ferebee (Galloway/Absegami) sealed the game by hitting one more from the charity stripe to cap the 70-65 Stockton victory.
Catanoso, who made 4-7 from behind the arc, dished a team-high three assists to go with his 15 markers. Barnes added 13 points while Ford and Hamilton chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively. Barnes also swiped a game-high four steals. Stockton shot 19-23 (82.6%) from the free throw line to aid the cause.
For New Jersey City, Yuri Brutus was the only player in double figures with 11 points. Jalen Harris finished with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Gothic Knights.
Stockton will travel to Union, NJ, on Saturday afternoon to take on Kean University at 1 p.m.
