Men's Basketball Falls to Franklin Pierce on Late Shot
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (0-2) had the lead with under 40 seconds from a Erik Timko three-pointer, but the Ravens responded with a three of their own with just 28 seconds to go as the Rams would drop their second contest this season to Franklin Pierce University (1-1) in East Region Challenge non-conference action this Sunday afternoon.
WHAT HAPPENED
Both Jefferson and Franklin Pierce would begin the contest trading the lead, an occurrence that would continue throughout the contest that saw 11 ties and 10 lead changes. Eventually the game would be even at 12-12, with Antonin Kemkeng scoring eight of those points in that span. The Ravens would have a 11-5 run as they hit a three pointer and converted an and-one to go up 23-17 on Jefferson with 12:14 left in the first half.
The Rams would respond, scoring 11 points of their own behind Timko's two three-pointers to go up 28-27. The Ravens retook the lead 31-28 on four free throw shots, eventually adding to it to make it 36-32 with 7:04 before the break. The Rams would cut the lead to two multiple times, even having it 47-46 with a 1:11 to go, but Franklin Pierce kept their composure and responded as they would head into the break up 49-46.
The second half would see the Ravens begin to expand on their lead, scoring the first nine points to be up 58-46 with 3:11 into the period. Jefferson would slowly cut into the lead as Farouk Kaba would hit two three's while Timko and Hakim Byrd had one apiece themselves, eventually tying the match at 66-66 with 10:42 left in the game. After Sean Trumper made two free throws for Franklin Pierce, Byrd made another three to give the Rams their first lead in the half at 69-68. The Ravens would take it back, but Timko would tie it at 72-72 with a three-pointer with 7:42 left to go.
Jefferson retook the lead on a Byrd three and two Kaba fast-break points as the score was 79-75. Both teams refused to let the lead be built for their opponents as it was once more tied at 82-82 with less than two minutes to go. Trumper scored a jumpshot for Franklin Pierce, but Timko made another three-pointer, giving the Rams a 85-84 lead with 40 seconds to go in the game. Andrew Politi would respond, making his own three to have the Ravens ahead 87-85. With less than thirty seconds to go, Jefferson would get two possession attempts that would ultimately end in turnovers, handing the Rams their second loss to begin the season.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erik Timko: 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting (7-10 3PT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Hakim Byrd: 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting (3-6 3PT), 4 assists, 2 steals
Farouk Kaba: 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting (2-2 3PT), 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds
Antonin Kemkeng: 11 points on 5-0f-7 shooting, 8 rebounds
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 33-of-60 (55.0%)
3PT: 14-of-28 (50.0%)
FT: 5-of-11 (45.5%)
UP NEXT
Jefferson will play their first home contest this season as they host Kutztown University of Pennsylvania this Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m.
