Men's Basketball Escapes Low Scoring Game with 65-55 Victory Against Caldwell 

PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (17-8) were able to keep pace in a low scoring game as the Rams earned a 65-55 low scoring victory over Caldwell University (13-12) in non-conference action this Tuesday evening. 

WHAT HAPPENED 
Jefferson only shot 39.4% on the floor in the first half, going 13-of-33 on the floor. The Rams looked to their defense, who held Caldwell to only 27.3% shooting. After going up 8-5, the Rams would get six straight points as Bismark Nsiah, Antonin Kemkeng, and Erik Timko all had a basket to put Jefferson's lead to 14-5. The Cougars would begin to climb back, eventually getting to trail the Ram's to 22-20 with 1:49 left in the first half. Hakim Byrd made a shot and Nsiah converted on a layup as Jefferson went into the break up 26-22. 

Both teams would get their offenses going as the Rams would score 39 points while Caldwell had 33 points. Jefferson shot 51.7% in the second half while Caldwell had an 44.8% shooting percentage on the floor. After a Caldwell basket, Jefferson went on a 9-2 run with Timko scored four points, Kemkeng had an and-one, and Ahmed Barba-Bey made a shot to have it at 35-27. The Cougars would climb back up, going on their own run as they got within two points of the Rams 37-35. Kemkeng had another and-one, scoring 14 of his 20 points in the second half. Byrd, Timko, and Farouk Kaba each had a basket to be up 48-39. Caldwell once more got it back to a one-possession score, adding six straight points to have it at 48-45.  

The game would keep being close throughout, eventually having the Rams holding a 56-55 lead. Kemkeng and Timko made both free throws, Nsiah hit a dunk, and Barba-Bey converted on a three in the last 2:19 minutes, letting Jefferson walk away with the 65-55 victory. 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE 
Antonin Kemkeng: 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, 4-5 FT, 9 rebounds 
Erik Timko: 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, 4-4 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists 
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 11 points on 5-of-16 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks 
Hakim Byrd: 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists 

UP NEXT 
Jefferson will look to finish out the CACC play ahead of the conference tournament as they travel on the road to Georgian Court University on Saturday, February 24 at 12 p.m.