Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (1-2) captured their home opener with an 81-74 victory over previously unbeaten Swarthmore College (3-1) on Wednesday night. Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) led four Ospreys in double figures with 17 points.
 
The game started out tight with four ties with the final at 17-17 with 11:35 to play in the first half. Stockton finished the first half on a 27-17 run to take a 44-34 lead at the break. The Ospreys shot 56.3 % (18-32) with 7-15 (46.7%) coming from the three-point line. Gaither and Charlie Bell (Miami, FL/Florida Christian) scoring 11 points each to lead the home team. 20 of Stockton's points came in the paint.
 
Swarthmore battled in the second half, coming within three points on two occasions, but could not get any closer. With the score 59-56 in favor of Stockton, Jahmir Payoute (Irvington/Snyder)
 slammed back-to-back dunks, that led to an 8-0 run that put Stockton comfortably ahead at 67-56. The Ospreys ran out the clock from there to capture the 81-74 victory.
 
Eriq Campbell (West Atco/Lindenwold, added 16 markers while Bell had 13 points and eight rebounds. Payoute tallied 12 points and a team-high nine boards.
 
For The Garnet, Eddie Paquette scored a game-high 21 points, with Brady Kageyama adding 16 markers and Cal Hanson 11. Devin Burger tied for game-high with nine rebounds.
 
Stockton will begin NJAC Play next Tuesday night when the Ospreys will face Kean University in Union, NJ. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.