Rams Go Off in Second Half; Men's Basketball Defeats #23/11 Post
PHILADELPHIA – Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (10-7, 4-3), outscored the Eagles 43-24 in the second half and have four players score in double digits as the Rams controlled the pace and were able to defeat the #23/11 ranked Post University (12-4, 3-2) in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action this past Saturday afternoon.
WHAT HAPPENED
After going up 4-0, the Rams fell down quick as the Eagles had turnovers and earned eight straight points off of them. Jefferson was able to get back in pace and compete with the top-25 ranked team, with Erik Timko hitting a three-pointer and Antonin Kemkeng having back-to-back layup to get up 13-12. The Eagles would respond with seven straight points and retake the lead and hold it to the rest of the first half. The Rams would climb within one point at 3:02 left in the first half at 31-30 from two Ashton Miller free throws, but the Eagles would hold off Jefferson's responses. Timo and Hakim Byrd would make their free throws down the stretch, helping the Rams be 15-22 at the line, to trail 37-34 to the Eagles heading into the break.
Post would have the first basket to begin the second half, but Jefferson responded with two Bsimark Nsiah layups and a Timko and-one to jump ahead 41-39. Both teams would begin to trade points, with Bol Akot hitting an and-one to tie it at 45-45 with 13:45 left in the game. Jefferson would begin to roll over the Eagles, scoring 16 straight points in a 8:27 timespan. Kemkeng had six of his 17 second half points, helping him to score 28 in the game. Ahmed Barba-Bey had four points in that swing while Miller and Nsiah had their own baskets to get the Rams up 61-45. The Eagles would start to score once more, but Jefferson would keep their foot on the gas and maintain their lead to a 77-61 victory.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Antonin Kemkeng: 30 points on 13-of-15 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting (1-1 3PT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Bismark Nsiah: 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
Erik Timko: 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting (1-4 3PT), 4-5 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
UP NEXT
The Rams will return back to the Gallagher Center on Tuesday, January 23 as they host Holy Family University at 8 p.m.
