Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (2-0) took the lead early and stayed in front the rest of the way to down Centenary (0-1) 78-65 in the first round of the Stockton Tip-Off Tournament. The Ospreys shot 55.1 percent from the floor including 47.1 percent from three-point range and never trailed in the game.
Marcus Harmon (Whitesboro/Middle Twp.) led Stockton with a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds, which tied his career high on the glass.
Steve Ferebee (Galloway/Absegami) also hit double figures with 13 points.
Onnir Kendall (Williamstown/Williamstown) gave the Ospreys strong play at point guard with a career-high seven assists plus six points, four rebounds and three steals.
Stockton jumped out to a big lead early, leading by as many as 18 points in a dominant first half. The Ospreys took a 40-24 lead into the locker room at the break behind balanced scoring led by Ferebee with nine markers.
Harmon and
Darius Jerkins (Somers Point/Mainland) added seven points each. Stockton held a 25-13 advantage on the glass in the half and later finished the game with a 42-24 rebound margin.
The Ospreys stretched the margin to 49-30 in the second half before Centenary showed signs of life. The visitors cut the lead to 56-47 in a span of 8:09, led by Rashaan Spencer who scored 12 points during the 17-7 run.
Stockton boosted the gap back to 18 at 65-47 but the Cyclones sliced the lead back to nine points again with 2:05 remaining. Harmon answered with a three-pointer and Stockton went on the 78-65 victory. The Ospreys shot 70 percent from the floor in the second half (14-20), including 4-6 (67%) from three-point land.
Spencer scored 26 of his game-high 29 points in the second half for Centenary, as the only Cyclone player in double figures. Tom Weiler pulled down five rebounds.
Stockton will take on Morrisville State in the championship game of the Stockton Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow at 3pm. The Mustangs defeated Purchase College 75-61 to advance. Purchase will face Centenary at 1 pm in the consolation game.
