With a buzzer-beating lay-up, Sand Hills Community College (NC) served up a heartbreaking 93-92 loss to the Brookdale Community College (27-3) men’s basketball team in the opening round of the NJCAA Division III men’s national championship tournament.

With Brookdale down 48-47 at the half, there was no stability in the were 11 lead changes in the final 20 minutes.  With 8:20 remaining, a three-pointer by Kevin Ohen gave Brookdale a 76-71 advantage, the biggest lead of the game for either team.  Sand Hills then answered back with a five-point run of their own to tie it up at 76. 

The teams would exchange buckets from there on out.

In the final minute alone, there were four lead changes, with Kahlil Bennett hitting a jumper just within the three-point arc to give the Jersey Blues a 92-91 edge with 3.8 seconds to go.  What seemingly was the game-winning shot wasn’t enough as Sand Hills would drive the length of the court to advance into the winner’s bracket as the buzzer was sounding. 

Bennett finished the game with 22 points, 12 of which came in the first half, and fellow sophomore Tunell Polk recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. 

Brookdale will now go on to face Roxbury (MA) on Friday, March 16^th.  Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.

LINCROFT – The Jersey Blues (27-2, 22-2) will be making their first trip since 2003  to the NJCAA DIII National Championship Tournament after defeating the Camden Cougars 78-60 in the Region XIX final Saturday at a raucous Collins Arena.

Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge) was voted Tournament MVP after his 20-point performance (including 16 second half points) jettisoned the Blues to their second-ever Region XIX title.

Brookdale never trailed in the game but Camden cut the lead to two points, 28-26 with 5:27 remaining in the half. That was the closest they would get as the Blues would then out-score the Cougars 10-2 to close out the half with a 37-28 advantage.

Kevin Ohen’s (Long Branch) rim-rattling slam dunk off a Tunell Polk (Howell) pass and Polk’s steal, full court drive to the bucket and backward two handed dunk were two first half highlights that had the delirious Collins Arena faithful  on their feet in amazement.

Chris Jetter (Matawan) hit his third three point bucket of the night to open the second half pushing the lead to twelve, 40-28 and Brookdale never looked back. Kahlil Bennett’s three pointer at the 4:36 mark put an exclamation point on his night and sealed the victory, increasing the margin to 20 points and handing the Blues a 74-54 lead.

The two teams closed out the contest exchanging buckets until the final buzzer sounded and the celebration erupted.

Josh Vital (Keansburg) had a tremendous game off the bench, netting 12 points and hauling down six rebounds. Tunell Polk grabbed nine boards and added seven points, while Nate Pacius dished out five assists and contributed six points. 

Ohen finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while sitting out much of the second half in foul trouble while Sean McPaul (Morganville) played outstanding defense in the middle and chipped in eight points.

The NJCAA Division III Tournament action begins Thursday, March 15 through Saturday March 17 at Sullivan County Community College, in Loch Sheldrake NY.

LINCROFT – With an air of excitement prevailing inside Collins Arena, the Jersey Blues did their part to entertain with a wild 71-67 triumph over stubborn Atlantic Cape Community College. The win moves the men into Saturdays finals against second seeded Camden. A 7:30 pm tip-off at Collins Arena will determine which team advances to the NJCAA DIII National Championship Tournament.

Brookdale’s 26 win of the season didn’t come easy, as the pesky Buccaneers (16-14,14-10) refused to let them put the game away and were only one point down, 68-67 with 25 seconds remaining in the contest.

The Blues then inbounded the ball and Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge) was immediately intentionally fouled. With the crowd on its feet and the deafening thunder of noise raining down on Kahlil, he calmly sank both free throws to put the men up by three, 70-67 with 21 seconds showing on the game clock.

 As Atlantic Cape inbounded and desperately headed up court for a final game tying shot, Nate Pacius (Neptune) stole the ball, passed to Bennett who found a streaking Kevin Ohen (Long Branch), who was then fouled and went to the line for two shots with five seconds remaining.

Ohen sank one of two free throws to increase the lead to four and a last second Buccaneer hail-mary shot was off the mark handing the Blues a dramatic 71-67 victory to the delight of the delirious Collins Arena faithful.

Ohen had another MVP type game pouring in 25 points, grabbing 15 rebounds (including 10 offensive boards) and dishing out five assists, all team highs.

Nate Pacius was outstanding at both ends of the floor. His four steals, especially his last, were game changers and his defensive pressure led to multiple Buccaneer turn-overs. Nate also dropped in 15 points and blocked a shot late in the game that accounted for a four point swing.

Tunell Polk (Howell) scored twelve first half points, including six in the final minute and a half to give the Blues a nine point lead at intermission. He also hauled in seven rebounds and had three steals.

Tip-off on Saturday is slated for 7:30 p.m. in the Robert J. Collins Arena.

LINCROFT – The Jersey Blues (25-2, 22-2) claimed sole possession of first place and the number one seed in the upcoming  NJCAA REGION XIX playoffs with a resounding 91-75 victory over Camden County College (23-4,21-3) Tuesday in Camden.

Kevin Ohen (Long Branch) was once again brilliant, dropping in a career high 34 points and snatching a team high eight rebounds adding to his season long resume of outstanding efforts.

Tunell Polk (Howell) (11), Nate Pacius (Neptune) (11) and Lucas Glass (Rumson) (10), all scored in double figures contributing to the win. Pacius was once more a demon at both ends of the floor, handing out seven assists, stealing the ball a career high eight times, while playing relentless defense.

Brookdale is hosting the NJCAA Region XIX Playoffs at Collins Arena Thursday March 1 and Saturday March 3. The men will be in action Thursday with the time and opponent to be determined. Come out in support of your team showing them the appreciation they deserve for their hard fought first place finish.

Lincroft, NJ -- Following the Region XIX basketball committee seeding meeting yesterday afternoon, the brackets for the 2012 Region XIX Division II and III men’s and women’s basketball tournament have been released.  To qualify for the tournament, teams must reach a .500 record either in Region XIX action or their overall schedule during regular season play.

First-round action commences on Monday, February 27^th for the men and on Tuesday, February 28^th for the women.  The final four teams will then advance to the semifinal round on Thursday, March 1^st.  Teams vying for the 2012 Region XIX crown will go head-to-head on Saturday, March 3^rd for a berth into the NJCAA National Championships.  Both the semifinal and championship games will be hosted by Brookdale Community College.

For the Division II women, Union (16-2) has earned the top seed and a bye in the first round.  The Owls will play the winner of fourth-seed Burlington and fifth-seed Essex, who face off at 7:00 p.m. on February 28th at Burlington.  Then, two and three seeds Lackawanna (15-3) and Harcum (13-5), who have both earned byes, will meet in the semifinal round on March 1^st.

In Division II men, earning a bye as the top seed, Essex (15-1) will face either fourth-seeded CC Morris (9-7) or fifth-seeded Salem (9-7), who go head-to-head on Monday, February 27^th at Morris.  Second-seeded Lackawanna (11-5) and third seed Raritan Valley (10-6) advance directly into the semifinals and will meet on Thursday, March 1^st.

On the Division III side, top-seeded Ocean was the sole women’s squad to receive a free pass into the semifinals.  All six other contenders must meet in first-round action to advance.  Second seeded Northampton (20-2) will host the seventh seeded Gloucester Roadrunners (10-12 Region XIX; 13-13 overall); where the victor will play the winner of Brookdale (19-3), who received the third seed, and sixth seeded Atlantic Cape (12-10).  Then Ocean (21-1) will play either fourth-seed Middlesex (13-9) or fifth-seed Montgomery (13-9) in semifinals.

Top-seeded Brookdale (22-2) and second-seeded Camden (21-3) received byes in first round action for the Division III men.  Brookdale will play either fourth-seeded Atlantic Cape (14-10) or fifth seed Middlesex (12-12) while Camden will face off against the winner of Ocean, who earned the third seed with a record of 17-7, and sixth seeded Montgomery (12-12).

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LINCROFT – The Jersey Blues won their 23rd game of the season edging Division II adversary CC Morris (13-10,8-8) Tuesday night in Randolph by a score of 85-78.

Josh Vital (Keansburg) spearheaded the Blues attack pouring in a team high 16 points while also grabbing seven rebounds. Tunell Polk (Howell) snatched eight boards to go along with his 14 crucial points.

Brookdale had 10 players in the scoring column in another display of just how deep this team is, a quality that bodes well for the team come playoff time.

Lucas Glass (Rumson) checked in with 10 points, Nate Pacius (Neptune) turned in a game high four steals and also netted nine points.

The Blues will play their last regular season home game Thursday, February 16 at the Collins Arena beginning at 5:00p.m. facing Mercer County Community College, another Division II opponent.

LINCROFT – The Jersey Blues (22-2,21-2) took control of a tight contest midway through the first half Saturday en route to a 96-81 defeat of Montgomery County Community College at the Collins Arena on the Brookdale campus.

Up by one point with 9:30 remaining in the first half, the Blues reeled off 14 consecutive points to take a 37-22 lead with five minutes left on the clock until halftime. The run of points was highlighted by Lucas Glass (Rumson) faking a three point shot, juking a Mustang defender and driving to the hoop for an uncontested basket. Glass finished with 10 points tying Sean McPaul (Morganville), who also chipped in 10 first half points with some outstanding work inside and outside the key.

Lance Walker (New York) really made his presence felt pouring in nine first half points, controlling the boards and playing air tight defense. Walker gave the men the lead for good at the 13:36 mark, grabbing a Mustang miss, driving the length of the court and sinking a short jumper as the Brookdale bench erupted.

The second half lead never dipped under 10 points and grew as high as 24 points with just over two minutes remaining.

Tunell Polk (Howell) grabbed the spotlight in the second half, displaying his athleticism with a monster slam dunk off a pretty ally-oop pass courtesy of Andrew Goldstein (Marlboro). Polk also led the team with seven rebounds, scored 14 points and had three steals for an extremely note-worthy performance.

Big man Sean McPaul dropped in a team high 23 points, plucked five boards and dominated the middle, as Mongomery had no answer to his bruising style of play.

The red hot Lucas Glass continued his assault on the basket pouring in 18 points while contributing five rebounds.

Walker completed his night scoring a very respectable 14 points and snatching six hard fought rebounds in what may have been his best performance of the year.

And we can’t forget the floor general at point guard, Chris Jetter, who ran the offense to perfection while hitting for nine points, dishing out four assists and disrupting the Mustang’s all night with five steals.

The Blues return to Collins Arena Thursday, 2/16/12 for another Division II contest against rival Mercer CC with 5:00 p.m. tip-off.

LINCROFT – Lucas Glass (Rumson) shot the lights out of Collins Arena Thursday night, exploding for 14 first half points guiding the Jersey Blues to a 108-71 defeat of the Union County Owl’s.

Brookdale stormed out of the locker room behind Sean McPaul (Morganville), running out to 26-4 advantage 10 minutes into the contest. McPaul led the charge erupting for 10 quick points, finishing with 12 for the half and 16 for the game.

Union tried desperately to get back into the game just before the end of the half, pulling to within 16.  Lucas Glass then hit three consecutive three- point buckets putting an end to any chance of a Union comeback. Glass was unstoppable at times hitting for a season high 24points including six for eleven from the three point arch.

The second half lead reached as high as 43 points. But what has become a characteristic of this team, is that it never stops playing hard no matter what the score is. From the starting five to last man on the bench, their work ethic is unflappable, a testament to Head Coach Paul Cisek.

Some of the game highlights included a Nate Pacius (Neptune) steal and behind the back pass to Andrew Goldstein (Marlboro), which brought the house down. Pacius finished with a team high nine assists and eight points, while Golstein added 10 points on another stellar performance off the bench.

Tunell Polk (Howell) had an ESPN SportsCenter moment, slamming home a pretty Pacius pass to delight the Collins Arena faithful. Polk’s all-around game was again on display, pulling down eight rebounds and contributing 14 points.

Another crowd pleaser was a Kevin Ohen (Long Branch) steal, length of the court drive and earth shattering, rim bending, one handed windmill dunk. You had to be there to believe it!

Brookdale (21-2,20-2)continues its drive towards the playoffs Saturday, February 11 against division rival Montgomery County Community College. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at the Collins Arena.

LINCROFT –  With the 106-45 thumping of the Panthers, the Brookdale men’s basketball squad (20-2,19-2) won its 20th game of the season to remain a half game back of Camden for the -Region XIX lead. The two schools will meet in a February 21 showdown at Camden.

Every player on the Brookdale roster made it into the scoring column with a number of players benefiting from rare extended court action.

Chris Jetter (Matawan) put the nail in the coffin as he sank a majestic three point shot at the buzzer to hand Brookdale a 40 point lead at the half, 63-23.With the devastating exclamation point shot by Jetter, you had to wonder if Passaic would come out for the second half or if they had already boarded the bus home!

Kevin Ohen (Long Branch) drilled 17 first half points and finished the night with a team leading 24 points. Lucas Glass (Rumson) continued his hot hand hitting for eleven first half points, ending up with 14, including four- three pointers. Glass also flashed his defensive prowess forcing a team high five turn-overs.

Chris Jetter (Matawan) dished out a team high seven assists running the show from his point guard position, while contributing eight significant points.

Brookdale’s all-purpose guard, Nick Pacius checked in with seven points, six assists and six boards for another fine all-around game.

Bench player Raibier Batista (Jersey City) took advantage of his lengthy court time pumping in 11 points and grabbing three boards in a very impressive outing.

With the regular season winding down and the level of play the men are exhibiting, it should be a very exciting stretch run into the playoffs.

Brookdale is home Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 p.m. against Union at the Collins Arena.

LINCROFT – The Jersey Blues were running on all cylinders Saturday pulverizing the Cumberland Dukes 103-50 at the Collins Arena on the Brookdale campus.

Topping the century mark for the third time this season, Brookdale had eleven players in the scoring column.

Lucas Glass (Rumson) was on fire in the first half erupting for 19 points including five three point baskets. Kevin Ohen (Long Branch) was dominant once again, pumping in 16 first half points to put the game out of reach early in the opening half.

Brookdale held a 43 point cushion at intermission and had called off the horses long before the end of the half, allowing Coach Cisek to once again empty his talented bench.  

Ohen ended his night early, still netting 24 points and hauling down 10 boards in a performance the Collins Arena faithful have come to expect.

Josh Vital (Keansburg) once again played a complete game dropping in nine points, grabbing five boards and handing out four assists. Vital’s all-around game is an indispensable piece of the Blues chemistry.  

Tunell Polk (Howell) scored 13 points to go along with the six rebounds he grabbed, while Andrew Goldstein (Marlboro) again displayed his value to the team, putting up eight points, three boards and dishing out two assists. Goldstein is becoming a legitimate presence off the bench.

Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge) chipped in eight points, five assists and three boards and the big man Sean McPaul (Morganville) manned the middle pulling down seven boards and dropping in seven points.

Brookdale (19-2,18-2) will play Passaic County Community College Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. immediately following  the women’s game at Collins Arena.