PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Nov. 9, 2026) – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team wasted little time getting its offense going in Monday night's season opener, riding a 24-point performance from senior guard Farouk Kaba (The Bronx, N.Y. / Darrow School) among other outstanding contributions to a commanding 116-76 victory over visiting Kutztown University in the Gallagher Center.
The Rams received contributions from up and down the lineup, with 14 players registering points and four reaching double figures. Jefferson never trailed, connected on 17 three-pointers and followed a 50-point first half with an even more productive final 20 minutes, shooting 62.5 percent from the field after the break.
Kaba set the tone early, scoring 17 of his 24 points in the first half while helping Jefferson establish control almost immediately. With the game tied at two, the senior contributed three baskets to a 15-0 run that put the Rams ahead, 17-2, just over five minutes into the contest. He finished 9-for-16 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep, supplementing his scoring with five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
As effective as Kaba was, the Rams' scoring depth made Monday's performance possible. Sophomore guard KJ Smith (Tampa, Fla. / Wiregrass Ranch) needed just 19 minutes off the bench to pour in 20 points, knocking down four of his eight three-point attempts. He scored eight points in six first-half minutes before adding another 12 after halftime, giving Jefferson a consistent offensive presence whenever he entered the game.
Classmate Chris Cervino (Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Ramapo / Moravian Prep) provided another perimeter threat, accounting for five of the Rams' 17 triples and finishing with 15 points in 18 minutes. Four of those three-pointers came in the second half, including the shot that carried Jefferson past the century mark with 3:55 remaining. Together, Smith and Cervino supplied 35 points without committing a turnover.
Sophomore guard Jahmare Memphis (West Chester, Pa. / Westtown School) helped keep that offense connected. He handed out 10 assists against just one turnover, adding eight points and a team-high four steals. Six of his assists came after halftime as the Rams turned an 18-point advantage into a 40-point victory. Jefferson's ability to create extra possessions was just as significant as its shooting. The Rams came away with 17 steals, forced 22 turnovers and converted those takeaways into 36 points. They also collected 20 offensive rebounds as part of a 42-30 edge on the glass, giving an already productive offense additional opportunities to work.
The Rams strengthened their grip on the game before halftime, closing the opening period on a 10-0 run to take a 50-32 lead into the locker room. Kaba accounted for five points during that stretch, and Jefferson held Kutztown scoreless over the final 3:22 of the half. The Rams then continued to stretch the floor after the break, connecting on 10 three-pointers and recording 17 assists on 25 made baskets.
Junior forward Shane Cercone (Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius) rounded out Jefferson's double-figure scorers with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting while sharing the team lead with five rebounds. Junior forward Gora Niang (Richard Toll, Senegal / Central Pointe / Butler Community College) also pulled down five boards to go with nine points, two assists, two steals and a block. In all, the Rams finished with 28 assists and 56 bench points in a season-opening display of their depth.
Head Coach Jimmy Reilly and the Rams will next travel to the College of Staten Island on Saturday, Nov. 14 for the Tournament of Heroes. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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