Staten Island Edges Out Men's Basketball

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (1-3) were up 75-74 with 2:28 to go in the game, but the Dolphins made two shots late in the game as the Rams would fall 78-75 to College of Staten Island (2-2) in Saturday afternoon action. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
Jefferson got out to an early 16-10 lead as Antonin Kemkeng had 11 of his season-high 22 points in that span. Staten Island would score 10 of the next 14 points to have the game even at 20-20. Both teams would begin to trade the lead, with Hakim Byrd and Erik Timko both making threes in the first half to get the Rams ahead, but the Dolphins would respond all the same. After two free throws by Timko made it 43-39, Staten Island would go on an 8-1 run that had Chris Clancy and Aaron Goldstein make their three-point attempts as the Dolphins headed into the break up 47-43. 

Jefferson would cut the lead within two to begin the second half, but three Bryce Waterman shots from beyond the arc kept the Dolphins up 61-51 with 14:25 left in the game. Jefferson would mount a comeback, as Kemkeng converted an and-one while Ahmed Barba-Bey and Byrd three-pointers had the Rams retake the lead 71-67 with under eight minutes to go. 

Each team would have the game tied and retook the lead, with it eventually even at 74-74. Kemkeneg made only one of his two free-throws, giving Jordan Mcallister a chance to give Staten Island the lead with his layup, making it 76-75 with 2:09 left in the game. Another shot by Mcallister to make it a three point game with under 40 seconds left. The Rams had two three points shots attempted, but just couldn't convert as the Dolphins held onto their lead. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE 
Antonin Kemkeng: 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 9 rebounds 
Erik Timko: 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting (1-5 3PT), 6 rebounds, 5 steals 
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting (4-9 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists 
Hakim Byrd: 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists 

JEFFERSON AS A TEAM 
FG: 25-57 (43.9%) 
3PT: 8-31 (25.8%) 
FT: 17-23 (73.9%) 

UP NEXT 
Jefferson will stay on the road as they face another PSAC school this season when the Rams take on Millersville University on Tuesday, November 21 at 6 p.m.