ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (12-9, 8-3 CACC) picked up its biggest victory of the season, defeating 24^th-ranked Dominican (15-5, 7-4 CACC) on the road, 76-71, on Saturday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rams came out with a purpose, jumping ahead to a 15-1 advantage in the first half. Four different players scored during the run. The Chargers bounced back and totaled 11 of the next 13 to get within five (17-12) with 9:52 on the clock. The teams went back and forth for the ensuing four minutes and the margin was six (26-20) with 5:21 remaining. Jefferson then finished the half with a 15-2 surge, sparked by four different players, for a 19-point cushion (41-22) at the break. The Rams shot 55.6% (15-of-27) in the period and limited Dominican to just 29.6% (8-of-27) from the field.
 
The Chargers started strong in the second half, getting back in the game with a 22-4 run and cutting the deficit to one (45-44) at the 13:07 mark. After a three-point play by Jefferson, Dominican netted five to take its first lead of the contest (49-48) with 11:20 left. The Rams recovered and poured in eight of the next 10, with six by Ahmed Barba-Bey, to go ahead by five (56-51).
 
Jefferson had a seven-point advantage (61-54) with 5:13 to play. The Chargers narrowed the gap to one (61-60) with six straight points. The Rams upped the margin with an 8-3 stretch, including a pair of threes by Erik Timko, and led 69-63 with 1:10 left. Dominican put on the pressure, making two of its next three shots, but Jefferson came through in the clutch as the Rams went 7-for-8 at the foul line down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erik Timko: 24 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, 1 block
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Antonin Kemkeng: 11 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
Bismark Nsiah: 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 25-of-49 (51.0%)
3PT: 9-of-18 (50.0%)
FT: 17-of-21 (81.0%)
 
NOTES
- Ahmed Barba-Bey's 21 points is a career high.
- Antonin Kemkeng registered his third double-double in the last four games.
- Jefferson won its regular season matchup against Dominican for the fifth straight season.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams travel to Post for a conference matchup on Saturday, February 4^th at 3 p.m.