Jersey City, N.J. - Stockton University (16-5, 11-3 NJAC) edged New Jersey City University (12-9, 7-7 NJAC) 73-72 in a tightly-contested game that was decided in final moments. EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/CH East) sank three clutch free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining to lift the Ospreys to victory.
 
Stockton trailed by four with 1:23 to play before two free throws by Matthews-Spratley eight seconds later made it 69-67. After a scoreless minute, Jahmir Payoute (Irvington/Snyder) grabbed an offensive rebound, drained a short jumper and was fouled. The freshman then sank the free throw to put the Ospreys in front 70-69.
 
At the other end, Bakhi Rogers-Robinson drove the basket, scored and was fouled for a three-point play that gave NJCU a 72-70 edge with five seconds left. Matthews-Spratley then raced up the court and was hit on the arm while putting up a late three-pointer.
 
After a lengthy review to confirm that the shot was outside the arc and check the time remaining, Matthews-Spratley, who leads the NJAC by making 90% of his free throws, calmly sank all three with 1.5 seconds on the clock to lift Stockton to the thrilling 73-72 triumph.
 
Matthews-Spratley scored 15 points and reached the 1,000-point plateau for his career. The junior entered the game with 993 career points and hit the 1,000 mark by sinking a free throw with 12:50 remaining in the second half.
 
Matthews-Spratley became the 33rd men's basketball player to score his 1,000th point while wearing a Stockton uniform. He scored 256 points in 32 games for the University of Scranton and then transferred to Stockton, where he has 752 points in 38 games.
 
Freshman Logan Mckee (Glen Mills, Pa./Phelps School) went 3-5 from three-point range and scored a team-high 17 points for his third straight double-digit outing since returning from injury. Eriq Campbell (West Atco/Lindenwold) netted 14 points.
 
Josh Randall (Williamstown/GCIT) rose to the occasion with season highs of 13 points and six rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench. Payoute grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds to lead the Ospreys to a commanding 49-32 advantage on the glass.
 
Overall, the game featured 12 lead changes and six ties. Stockton led 34-21 with 5:30 left in the first half but was outscored 19-5 the rest of the way for a 40-39 deficit at the break. The gap between the teams was five points or less for the entire second half, with the game decided in the last two seconds.
 
Avante Gilbert paced the Gothic Knights with a game-high 18 points followed by Rogers-Robinson with 12 markers.
 
Stockton will play a crucial road game at Montclair State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Ospreys sit in first place in the NJAC, one game ahead of the Red Hawks.