UNION, N.J. (1/5/22) – Four players scored in double figures as the Kean University men's basketball team knocked off Stockton University, 83-75 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest on Wednesday evening.

Patrick Strzala led with 23 points and five three-pointers for the Cougars who improve to 9-3 overall and 3-3 in the NJAC. DJ Campbell totaled 28 points for the Ospreys who fall to 10-2 overall and 5-1 in the NJAC.

Stockton opened with an 11-2 run over the first four minutes to take their largest lead of the game. Kean responded with an 18-12 run to even the game at 20-20 with 7:23 remaining.  The Cougars finally took their first lead of the game at 24-23 with 3:10 remaining on back-to-back free throws from Terrence Durham. Despite this, the Ospreys would hold the slim 31-29 advantage at halftime.  

The second half saw neither side take larger than a five-point lead in the opening 10 minutes. Kean broke through with an 18-4 run to take their largest lead of the game at 69-57 with 7:12 remaining. Strzala scored 10 of his 15 points during the run. Stockton answered with a 16-9 run to cut the lead to 77-73 with 3:15 remaining.    

Letrell West would knock down a key triple and Nate Lyles sealed the game with an open court dunk in the final two minutes.

West finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Jailen Jamison totaled 12 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Lyles tallied 14 points and nine rebounds, while Justin Singh-Smith collected nine points and 12 rebounds.

Kean's next scheduled opponent, The College of New Jersey, is in COVID-19 protocols, so Head Coach David Turco and the Cougars will now return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 12^th, in Wayne, N.J. against the Pioneers of William Paterson University at 8:00 p.m.