Ewing, N.J. – Stockton University (11-8, 8-4 NJAC) suffered its second defeat of the season on a backbreaking shot in the closing seconds as The College of New Jersey (14-5, 9-3 NJAC) edged the Ospreys 84-82 in double overtime.
 
The dramatic back-and-forth game featured 17 ties and no margin greater than seven points at any time during 50 minutes of play before the outcome was decided in the final seconds of double OT on the 15th lead change of the night.
 
Justin Harper (Bridgeton/Wildwood Catholic) led Stockton with a career-high 30 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Harper shot 10-17 (58.8%) from the field including 4-8 (50%) from three-point range.
 
Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) joined Harper with seven consecutive double-figure games by scoring 16 points. Eriq Campbell (West Atco/Lindenwold) and Andrew Crawford (Haddon Hts./Camden Catholic) produced career highs of 15 and 10 rebounds respectively as Stockton outrebounded TCNJ 56-41.
 
After Stockton trailed 33-26 at halftime, the Ospreys rallied to lead by as much as four in the second half. Gaither gave Stockton a 67-66 lead with 1:30 remaining. TCNJ's Matthew Solomon later was fouled at the horn. Solomon tied the game 67-67 with his first free throw but the potential game-winner was off the mark.
 
Charlie Bell (Miami, Fla./Florida Christian) put Stockton up 72-70 by sinking a three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the first overtime, but Nick Koch tied it for the Lions on a layup with eight seconds remaining to force another OT at 72-72.
 
In double overtime, a four-point play by Harper gave the Ospreys an 80-76 lead with 1:46 on the clock. TCNJ responded with five straight points to pull ahead 81-80 with 19 seconds to play. Campbell dashed to the rim for a layup that pushed Stockton back on top 82-81 with 11.3 seconds left.
 
After a timeout, TCNJ advanced the ball into the frontcourt and Koch sank a deep three-pointer at the buzzer to deal Stockton the heartbreaking 84-82 setback. The defeat snapped a four-game winning streak for the Ospreys that was their longest of the season.
 
Koch paced TCNJ with a game-high 33 points followed by Solomon with 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Lions.
 
Stockton will be on the road again on Saturday for a conference game at Rutgers-Newark that tips off at 6:00 p.m.