TCNJ looking to make final push in NJAC standings
It’s too late in the season for The College of New Jersey to be facing a crossroad.
The Lions are at a point, though, where they need to look at the rocky threegame losing streak they just completed as stepping stones to begin working their way back up the mountain.
TCNJ (16-6, 11-4 NJAC) have three regular season games left, and depending on the outcome they can land anywhere between first and fourth in the league.
“I definitely think this past week’s struggles will help us moving forward,’’ TCNJ coach Matt Goldsmith said of the losses to Rowan, NJCU and Ramapo. “It is hard to push yourself and grow when everything is going exactly as planned. Hopefully, we can learn from these losses and improve as a group. I think our best basketball is still ahead of us.’’
The Lions are going to need their best starting Wednesday night as William Paterson (12-10, 7-8 NJAC) visits Packer Hall for an 8 p.m. tipoff.
What makes this game doubly important besides snapping the three-game skid is the fact that the Pioneers are one of the three NJAC teams looking to earn one of the last two playoff spots.
Paterson, Stockton (139, 7-8 NJAC) and Rowan (11-11, 7-8 NJAC) are all tied for fifth in the league standings.
“That absolutely makes them more dangerous this week,’’ Goldsmith said of the Pioneers. “They need every game or they will be out of the playoffs. They are obviously fighting for their playoff lives and will do whatever it takes to stay in the mix. They always play hard, they always have a game plan, and they have good talent. It will be a challenge for us for sure.’’
Until the latest blip on the screen the Lions have handled every challenge and every adversity that came down the pike. The three-game losing streak is their longest of the season.
Seniors like Eric Murdock Jr. and Elias Bermudez have been the heart and soul of the Lions, bringing along a very determined group of underclassmen. They’ll have to do it one more time.
Murdock Jr. leads with 17.5 points a game and a conference-best 5.3 assists per game. Niall Carpenter chips in with 15.0 points, Randy Wako gets 13.5 and grabs 7.1 rebounds and former Lawrence High star Jordan Glover averages 10.2 points.
After Paterson a very good Montclair State team comes to Ewing on Saturday, and then the Lions finish up at Rutgers-Newark.
“it was three tough games, two of which were on the road,’’ Goldsmith said of the recent struggles. “We are going to keep our heads down and keep working, try to get healthy and prepare for Wednesday night against William Paterson.’’
Every year the NJAC is a survival of the fittest, and while the Lions have earned enough credibility to survive it’s now time for them to make a statement to be heading to the playoffs on a high note.