EWING, N.J. (3/7/21) – Three different players scored in double figures as the Kean University men's basketball team bowed out of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament with a 77-64 loss to the College of New Jersey on Sunday.

P.J. Ringel finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals for the Lions who remain unbeaten at 7-0 and advance to face Stockton in the NJAC semifinals on Mar. 12^th. JD Daniels and Abdullah Nieskens both tallied 17 points apiece for the Cougars who finish the season at 1-6 overall.

The first half saw Kean battle back from an early 16-8 deficit as the Cougars used a 24-17 run to take their first lead of the game at 32-31 with 1:33 remaining on back-to-back buckets from Nieskens. Daniels, Nieskens and Nate Lyles each scored seven points apiece during the run.

TCNJ finished the opening stanza on a 7-2 run to hold a 38-32 advantage at halftime.

The Lions built upon their halftime advantage with a 7-0 run that pushed TCNJ's lead to 45-32 with 17:28 remaining. A minute later, Nieskens pulled Kean to within seven at 45-38 after connecting on back-to-back triples. This would be the closest the Cougars would get as TCNJ maintained a double-digit deficit for the rest of the contest.

Mike DelSantro totaled 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Lyles totaled seven points and seven rebounds. Mario Gunn added seven points and six rebounds, while Justin Singh-Smith collected five points and five rebounds.