Men's Basketball Falls in Last Minute to Felician
RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Rams were ahead 76-74 in the last minute, but the Golden Falcons would make their shot with 48 seconds to go. The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (12-8, 5-4) would take their shot but were unable to get back the lead as the Rams would fall to Felician University (11-11, 7-4) in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action this Saturday afternoon.
WHAT HAPPENED
Felician would get out ahead with the first four points, but Bismark Nsiah made both his free throws while Hakim Byrd and Erik Timko each hit a shot to get ahead 6-4. Ahmed Barba-Bey and Antonin Kemkeng would each hit a shot to make it 12-6 for the Rams. Felician would not stay away, as Dee-End McRae hit his three and a layup to get within four points for the Golden Falcons. The Rams would get two shots from Byrd and one by Kemkeng to get six straight points and keep the Jefferson lead up at 21-11 halfway through the first.
Justin Davis hit his three and a pair of free throws by Jaylen Colon got Felician within five, but Farouk Kaba made a three to help Jefferson. The Golden Falcons would go on a 13-2 run to get ahead of the Rams, but back-to-back Barba-Bey three's put them up 32-31 which Jefferson would hold onto as they headed into the break.
The second quarter would see a trade in points, eventually having the game tied at 42-42. The Rams would go on a 12-4 run to get ahead 54-46 with 11:19 to go. After a row of free throws and shots, Felician's Jabri Fitzpatrick hit a three to get the Golden Falcons within three points of Jefferson. Felician would eventually retake the lead, but both teams would score in succession to trade it with a Timko layup evening it out at 70-70 with 4:23 to go.
Colon and Barba-Bey would trade shots for their teams to have it tied, and Timko made both free throws to get Jefferson ahead 74-72. After another trade in baskets, Davis made a three with 48 seconds left to go to put Felician ahead 77-76. Kemkeng would miss his layup, allowing Davis to get it and make both free throws. Byrd would miss a three and after a few free throws, the Rams would fall to the Golden Falcons 82-78.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting (3-9 3PT), 8 rebounds
Erik Timko: 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Antonin Kemkeng: 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Bismark Nsiah: 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
Hakim Byrd: 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, 3 rebounds
UP NEXT
Jefferson will return to the Gallagher Center as they take on CACC South Division opponent and cross-town rival Chestnut Hill College on Tuesday, February 6 at 8 p.m.
