PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (4-3, 1-0 CACC) opened conference play on Wednesday with a 99-63 rout of Chestnut Hill (2-5, 0-1 CACC) at the Gallagher Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a one-point game (12-11) with the Rams ahead at the 14:10 mark of the first half. Jefferson then went off for a 20-4 run to up the lead to 17 (32-15) with 7:28 left. The Rams sank four three-pointers during the stretch and Erik Timko led the way with eight points. The play was even between both sides for the rest of the period and Jefferson held a 48-30 advantage at the break.
 
The Rams came out strong in the second half, beginning the frame with a 19-6 surge to open up a 31-point stranglehold (67-36) with 14:34 on the clock. Timko poured in another 12 points during the run while Jefferson drilled four more threes. The spurt ended any hope of a Chestnut Hill comeback as the margin never dipped below 27 the rest of the way. The Rams led by as many as 38 on the way to the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erik Timko: 35 points on 14-of-16 shooting (7-8 3PT), 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Antonin Kemkeng: 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist
Darius Kinnel: 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Hakim Byrd: 7 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound
Jason Shields: 7 points, 1 assist
Bismark Nsiah: 6 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 37-of-59 (62.7%)
3PT: 14-of-28 (50.0%)
FT: 11-of-14 (78.6%)
 
NOTES
- Erik Timko's 35 points is a career high.
- Antonin Kemkeng recorded his 20^th career double-double.
- Jefferson won its conference opener for the third straight season.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams visit Lincoln (Pa.) for a non-conference matchup on Saturday, December 3^rd at 4 p.m.