PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (3-2) won its home opener on Tuesday night, defeating Bloomsburg (0-3), 91-77.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
There were five ties in the early going as the teams went back and forth. The last deadlock was at 13 apiece with 12:47 left in the first half. The Rams then surged ahead with 14 of the next 16 points for a 27-15 lead. Erik Timko and Darius Kinnel each sank a pair of three-pointers during the run.
 
The Huskies cut the deficit to seven (32-25) before Jefferson pulled away again with 13 straight points for a 45-25 advantage with 2:30 on the clock. Four different players scored during the stretch. Bloomsburg came back with a 10-2 run to close the half and make it a 12-point game (47-35) at halftime.
 
The Huskies opened the second period with a three to cut the deficit to nine (47-38) but the Rams answered with 13 of the next 17 points to double their lead (60-42). Hakim Byrd led the way with two baskets from beyond the arc. Bloomsburg was unable to get back in the game after that point with the margin staying at 15 or higher until the final minute.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erik Timko: 19 points, 6 three-pointers, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
Hakim Byrd: 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting (3-6 3PT), 4 assists
Bismark Nsiah: 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block
Darius Kinnel: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 35-of-74 (47.3%)
3PT: 17-of-38 (44.7%)
FT: 4-of-7 (57.1%)
 
NOTES
- Erik Timko's six three-pointers are a career best.
- Jefferson had its best shooting percentage of the season from beyond the arc.
- The Rams' 17 three-pointers were their most since January 21, 2018 when they also drilled 17 against Concordia.
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson travels to Adelphi on Sunday, November 27^th for a 2 p.m. game.