Jersey City, N.J. – Stockton University (16-8, 12-5 NJAC) maintained its hold on second place in the conference with an 82-77 victory over New Jersey City (7-17, 4-13 NJAC). The Ospreys fended off a late NJCU rally by going 8-8 at the line in the last 1:10. They also clinched a first-round bye for the NJAC Tournament.
 
DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland) continued his pursuit of the Stockton scoring record with a game-high 31 points for his fourth 30-point outing of the season. Campbell now needs just seven points to break the school mark of 2,124 career points by Carl Cochran (1993-97).
 
Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) produced another efficient scoring game as he shot 8-9 (88.9%) and tallied 17 points plus a team-high eight rebounds. Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville) chipped in with 13 points, tying his season high, and six rebounds.
 
EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/CH East) also hit double digits with 12 points. Stockton shot 26-32 (81.3%) at the line, including a near-perfect 14-15 (93.3%) in the second half.
 
Stockton trailed 42-37 at the end of a close first half that featured 11 lead changes and nine ties. The Ospreys led for just 5:48 of the half and were down 33-24 before closing the gap late. Gaither and Lawrence topped the team with nine first-half points apiece.
 
Stockton raised its game in the second half, shooting 5-12 (41.7%) from three-point range and outscoring the Gothic Knights 45-35. The Ospreys used a late 16-8 run to build a 74-66 lead with three minutes to go. Matthews-Spratley and Gaither led the charge with seven and six points respectively.
 
NJCU responded with seven unanswered points to get within 74-73 with 1:13 on the clock. The Ospreys then held the lead by going 8-8 at the line, with Campbell sinking four free throws while Lawrence and Matthews-Spratley adding two apiece to seal the 82-77 triumph.
 
Stockton will end the regular season with a home game against Kean University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.