PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (2-4) shot 64.52% in the first half and held the Panthers to only 28 points during that span as the Rams would walk away this Tuesday afternoon matchup with a 86-75 non-conference victory over Adelphi University (3-2).
 
WHAT HAPPENED
The Panthers would begin the first half hot as they would be up 13-7 Conor Regan hitting two three-pointers. The Rams would respond as Antonin Kemkeng, Erik Timko, and Bismark Nsiah would all make baskets that would have it at 14-13 with 1-:52 left in the first half. Both teams would trade leads, eventually Adelphi would be up 17-16, but Nsiah would connect on a three and begin a 30-11 point swing for Jefferson. Timko would score 11 of his team-leading 27 points in that stretch while Hakim Byrd hit two three-pointers for the Rams. Jefferson would head into the break up 46-28.
 
Ahmed Barba-Bey would begin the half with a shot from beyond the arc, while Justin Hawkins and Antonin Kemkeng would make their layups, helping earn him 21 points and earning a double double with 13 rebounds as the Rams would trade buckets with the Panthers, still ahead 53-32. Nsiah would have a dunk on the fastbreak to make it 60-38 just 4:21 into the second half, but Seth Brown would make two threes to help Adelphi cut the Ram lead to 60-48. Adelphi would continue to make their way to the Rams lead, eventually making the game 68-63 with 7:34 left to go. Timko would respond with a three while Ashont Miller hit two free throws, making it 73-65. Adelphi would make it 75-70 at 3:46, but Jefferson would conclude the quarter on a 11-5 run that ended the scoring attack with Kemkeng dunking as the Rams earned the 86-75 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 Erik Timko: 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting, (3-4 3PT), 4-4 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Antonin Kemkeng: 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 5-5 FT, 13 rebounds, 3 assists
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting (2-6 3PT), 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Bismark Nsiah: 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, 4 rebounds
 
UP NEXT
Rams will stay at home in the Gallagher Center as they welcome Lincoln University (Pa.) on Tuesday, November 28 at 8 p.m.