COLCHESTER, VT. – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (23-9), who trailed heading into the second half, tied the game at 48-48 with 11:40 left in the contest, but the Wildcats outscored the Rams 26-18 as Jefferson fell to Daemen University (25-8) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
WHAT HAPPENED
Both teams kept it close in the first quarter, changing the lead multiple times throughout the first nine minutes. The Rams scored seven points with Ashton Miller making two layups and Ahmed Barba-Bey converting on an and-one to go up 19-15. Daemen went on a 20-9 run that saw Justin Hemphill and Joey Atkins make multiple shots while Dylan Fasoyiro made three shots from beyond the arc to help the Wildcats earn a 35-26 lead heading into the half.
 
The Rams began to bounce back, going on a 22-13 run to get the game tied at 48-48. Antonin Kemkeng, Hakim Byrd, Bismark Nsiah, Miller, and Barba-Bey got on the board with their shots, with Miller hitting a three pointer during that stretch. The Wildcats would not be phased, scoring the next seven points to retake their lead. Daemen kept their defense on bound for the Rams comeback, only allowing two Rams to score in double digits, with Erik Timko only having seven on the night and Bismarn Nisah having four points in the contest.
 
Even with some of their players being shut down, Kemkeng showed up with 29 points on the night, leading all players in that category, as the Rams slowly came back and got within four points of the Wildcats. Daemen pressured the Rams into turning over the ball and forcing them to foul, letting the Wildcats go 7-8 in the final minute on the line as the Rams fell 74-66.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Antonin Kemkeng: 29 points on 12-of-14 shooting, 5-7 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting (2-6 3PT), 4 rebounds
Ashton Miller: 9 points on 4-of-9 shooting (1-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Erik Timko: 7 points on 2-of-7 shooting (1-2 3PT), 3 rebounds
 
Jefferson ends their season 23-9, having an 11-game win streak that led the Rams to their first CACC title since 2017-18 season.