Jefferson Men's Basketball Secures Victory After Close Match Against Holy Family  

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Thomas Jefferson University's men's basketball was down by three at the halftime mark but battled to success in the second half. After fending off a late comeback attempt by the Tigers, the Rams emerged victorious with a final score of 60-49. 

WHAT HAPPENED 

• Tairi Ketner is first to score for the Tigers after hitting his layup, and Omarion Jett sinks a three-pointer to follow. Justin Hawkins and Sean Fullerton were first to score for Jefferson, adding three each after both making their baskets. Najee Coursey and Jason Shields added two each as the Tigers claimed a small 9-6 lead.  

• Fullerton and Shields trade layups, the Tigers still ahead by three. Farouk Kaba and Hawkins hit both his free throw shots, inching the Rams to their first lead at 12-11. Isaiah Thomas-McClain is good for back-to-back three point shots adding six for Jefferson, while CJ Mundell and Shields were able to add two each.  Ketner with the assist from Jett adds two to tie up the game at 18-18. Ketner and Hawkins are both good for the layup, still even at 20-20.  Assisted by Shields, Ketner hits another layup, but Fullerton adds three taking the one point lead over the Tigers. Shields regains the lead with a three-point shot and quickly adds two more points. Meanwhile, Ryan Holmes contributes two points of his own, giving Holy Family a five-point advantage. Jeremiah Dorsey and Hawkins added collect five, as Shields makes another three pointer to keep the Tigers ahead 31-28 as the first half ends.  

• Jefferson is quick to start after hook shots from Ashton Miller and Hawkins, giving them an early one point lead. Ketner makes his shot bringing the Tigers one point behind the Rams, but Dorsey responds by claiming three pushing the Jefferson ahead 36-32. Fullerton is good on the turn around shot, and Coursey makes both his free throws collecting four. Fullerton and Kaba matched the Tigers, also claiming four points keeping Jefferson in the lead at 42-34.  

• Fullerton assisted by Hawkins, and Kaba assisted by Miller, added two each furthering their lead in the last 10 minutes. Holmes and Shields make both their baskets, adding four for the Tigers as they trail 11 points behind the Rams. Shields make both free throws, and Ketner makes his basket, cutting the deficit to 5 points. Back at the free throw line Shields claims one, while Dorsey claims two keeping Jefferson ahead 49-43. Holmes is good again for two, back within five points of the Rams, as Jett hits his layup now only trailing only by two.  Jett continued to find success in the last two minutes after making his basket to tie it up at 49-49.  

• Hawkins makes a clutch three point shot, and Thomas-McClains hits both free throws, giving the Rams a five point lead. Miller, Dorsey, and Hawkins collected six on the free throw line furthering their lead and securing the 60-49 victory over Holy Family.  

TEAM STATS 
FG: 15 of 52 (28.8%) 
3PT: 6 of 31 (19.4%) 
FT: 24 of 26 (92.3%) 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE 
Justin Hawkins: 17 points on 5-of-15 shooting, 4-4 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block 
Sean Fullerton: 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 2-3 FT, 4 rebounds 
Jeremiah Dorsey: 9 points on 0-of-3 shooting, 9-9 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists 
Isaiah Thomas-McClain: 8 points on 2-of-9 shooting, 2-2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block  
Ashton Miller: 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting, 2-2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists 

UP NEXT  
The Rams prepare for Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) action on December 14 at 3 p.m. where they will face Pace University.