Men’s College Basketball
 

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y.–Niagara University, the defending conference champion, made 15 three-point field goals to defeat Rider in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Thursday night. \”I’m disappointed in the way we played tonight,\” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey, \”but Niagara had a lot to do with that. They play great in this building.\”

Niagara (4-2, 1-0 MAAC) is now 4-0 at home this year.

Senior forward Charron Fisher made a career-high eight three-pointers and finished with a career-high 36 points and eight rebounds. \”Charron put on a show tonight,’ Dempsey said. \”He was unbelievable and we didn’t have an answer for him.\”

For the Broncs (5-4, 0-1 MAAC), senior Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) compiled 25 points and 10 rebounds and younger brother sophomore Ryan Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

For Jason, it was his sixth ‘double-double’ of the season and the 36^th of his career. His 10 rebounds gave him 865, nine shy of the Rider career record.

Trailing 57-39, Rider went on a 10-2 run, seven points by Ryan Thompson, to cut the lead to 59-49 with 11:31 remaining, but that was as close as the Broncs could get, as Fisher made back-to-back threes to give Niagara a 65-49 lead. ‘We clawed our way back into it several time and each time it seemed Fisher had the answer.\”

Niagara made its first five three-point field goals in the first five minutes of the game. \”That put us in a hole,\” Dempsey said.

The Purple Eagles led 12-8 before going on a 10-0 run, five points by sophomore guard Tyrone Lewis, to take a 22-8 lead. Lewis finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

Trailing 22-8, Rider went on a 12-2 run, six points by Jason Thompson, to cut the lead to 24-22 with 8:25 left in the first half.

Niagara led 31-25 before Rider went on an 8-0 lead to take a 33-31 lead.

Trailing 33-31, Niagara out-scored Rider 14-0, five points by Hodge, to take a 42-33 lead, and Niagara led 49-34 at the half on 20 first half points by Fisher. \”That’s a long climb in someone else’s building,\” Dempsey said.

Junior Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham) finished with 15 points and three assists for Rider.

Rider stays in Western New York to play at Canisius Saturday evening. \”That’s our goal now, to go home 1-1 on this trip,\” Dempsey said.

-RU-

By Bill Bates

NEWS Correspondent

On Monday evening around 6 o\’clock, a water main break was reported at the corner of South Oak Avenue & West Kings Highway. Mount Ephraim Police made contact with the American Water Company and advised them of the situation.

American Water Company officials where on scene within the hour and started working on the situation.

Photo By Bill Bates

CREWS WORKING – Employees from the American Water Company work at the intersection of West Kings Highway and South Oak Avenue in Mount Ephraim after a water main break was reported around 6 o\’clock Monday Evening.

Water service was shut down in a four block radius. The water main break affected about 100 homes and a few businesses.

Crews were expected to be on scene until the early morning hours to fix the break. Water service should be restored as of press time.

News Release 

Glen Side, PA…The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team suffered a 66-62 non-conference set back at the hands of Arcadia University on Wednesday night. TCNJ had been off for the last 15 days, but was not able to come up with the road win despite three players contributing double-digit scoring performances. TCNJ drops to 1-3, while Arcadia is now 3-2.

TCNJ got a game-high 20 points from senior co-captain, forward Mark Aziz (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris Central), while senior Jeff Warner (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) chipped in 13 points. Aziz hit an impressive 9-of-14 shots from the floor, while Warner shot 60.0% (6-10) on the night.

 Junior guard Jeff Molinelli (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) added 12 points for the Lions despite shooting an impressive team mark of 54.0% from the floor on the game (27-50).

Arcadia’s Eric Elliott (Evansville, IN/Steinert) finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Knights, while nine rebounds, all defensive caroms, and added four blocks on the night.

TCNJ will host Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday, December 8 at 3 p.m. in the Lions’ home opene r.

Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team hosted Blue Knights of Mount Saint Mary College on Thursday night in a non-conference game in Packer Hall. Down at the half, 21-20, Mount Saint Mary College came back to post their third straight win over the Lions after posting a 62-55 win. MSMC improves to 7-1, while TCNJ is now 5-2.

TCNJ opened the contest on a 9-0 run before the Blue Knights clawed their way back to trail by just one point at the half, 21-20. Pacing TCNJ in the first half was freshman forward Kelsey Kutch (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) as she had seven points and four rebounds. Senior Sara Best (High Bridge, NJ/Voorhees) chipped in with five points and five rebounds in the first half for the Lions as they forced 15 turnovers, but committed 16 themselves.

MSMC’s senior guard Vanessa Lawson (Kingston, NY/Kingston) had six points in the first half, while junior guard Meredith Paggi (Wappinger Falls, NY/Our Lady of the Lourdes) added four points and five rebounds to pace her team in the first half with three steals.

In a wild second half, MSMC would post their first lead at 18:05 (24-23) and before the night was over there were six ties and nine lead changes as the Blue Knights would triumph on an impressive 8-10 shooting performance from the line in the second stanza.

Paggi would finish with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Lawson led her team with 14 points. Sophomore forward Shannon Sangster (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) added eight second half points to finish with 10 on the night.

TCNJ’s junior Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) would net her fifth double-double of the season after chipping in 14 points with 12 boards and ties her personal best having blocked eight shots. Best had 10 points, while Kutch finished with nine.

Official Basketball Box Score — GAME TOTALS — FINAL STATISTICSOfficial Basketball Box ScoreMt. St. Mary College vs The College of New Jersey12/6/07 7 pm at Ewing, NJ (Packer Hall)

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VISITORS: Mt. St. Mary College 7-1

 TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS

## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN

00 Paggi, Meredith….. * 6-17 0-4 1-2 3 5 8 2 13 3 3 0 5 35

20 Anthony, Chantel…. * 2-13 2-7 0-0 0 6 6 1 6 6 6 0 3 34

24 Lawson, Vanessa….. * 6-12 0-1 2-2 1 2 3 1 14 3 2 0 3 32

30 Markert, Jackie….. * 2-7 0-0 3-6 2 6 8 1 7 1 1 0 1 32

44 Sangster, Shannon… * 5-7 0-0 0-0 1 3 4 2 10 1 1 0 2 28

12 Biordi, Catie……. 1-3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 10

22 King, Brittany…… 1-1 0-0 2-2 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 2

23 Kimmey, Megan……. 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 7

32 Augustin, LaSheila.. 0-1 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 4

35 McCourt, Kelly…… 2-4 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 0 0 16

 TEAM……………. 3 2 5

 Totals………….. 25-67 3-14 9-14 14 25 39 9 62 16 17 0 15 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 9-28 32.1% 2nd Half: 16-39 41.0% Game: 37.3% DEADB

3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 1-8 12.5% 2nd Half: 2-6 33.3% Game: 21.4% REBS

F Throw % 1st Half: 1-4 25.0% 2nd Half: 8-10 80.0% Game: 64.3% 2,1

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HOME TEAM: The College of New Jersey 5-2

 TOT-FG 3-PT REBOUNDS

## Player Name FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S MIN

03 Sara Best……….. * 3-9 0-2 4-5 0 6 6 4 10 2 1 0 1 24

15 Nicole Diaz……… * 2-6 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 6 5 3 0 2 32

22 Kelsey Kutch…….. * 3-7 0-0 3-4 2 2 4 3 9 1 9 2 1 31

23 Alyssa Michella….. * 1-9 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 6 1 0 2 36

34 Hillary Klimowicz… * 7-10 0-0 0-0 2 10 12 3 14 0 2 8 1 31

02 Stephanie Prall….. 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 5

21 Karen Lassoni……. 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 10

32 Lisa Koch……….. 2-4 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 6 0 4 0 0 13

45 Alexandra Gregorek.. 3-6 0-0 2-2 1 3 4 0 8 1 3 3 0 18

 Team……………. 1 3 4

 Totals………….. 21-54 4-14 9-11 8 31 39 14 55 15 27 13 8 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 7-27 25.9% 2nd Half: 14-27 51.9% Game: 38.9% DEADB

3-Pt. FG% 1st Half: 1-7 14.3% 2nd Half: 3-7 42.9% Game: 28.6% REBS

F Throw % 1st Half: 6-8 75.0% 2nd Half: 3-3 100 % Game: 81.8% 1

The Mt. Ephraim Celebration Committee and the Mt. Ephraim Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary held a Lunch with Santa on Saturday, December 1^st. The event had over 125 people in attendance. Those who attended had a great time. The children enjoyed making the crafts that were available and visiting with Santa.

The committees would like to extend a special thank you to Miss Mt. Ephraim, Lucy Zettlemoyer; Miss Sons of Italy, Michelle Greenwald; Miss Democrat Club Melanie Lewis and Miss Flame, Bridget Gugel who helped the children with their crafts. We would like to give a very special thank you to Santa Claus for taking the time to meet our children during this very busy time of the year.

South Jersey Outdoors by Doug Skinner

For those who haven\’t noticed Gloucester Plumbing Supply has begun building a new showroom and warehouse on property the company owns at 522 S. Broadway near the corner of Broadway and Jersey Avenue. The work began several weeks ago and weather permitting will be finished in late April.

According to Joe Kenney, owner of the company, this is the first phase of a three-phase construction project that is planned for the location.

Kenney said besides building a 2200 square foot showroom the outside of the building will be completely renovated with new windows along with a stucco facade. The second and third phase of the design for the site includes a new warehouse and off street parking.

Mayor Bill James in an interview last February raved about the improvements that Gloucester Plumbing was planning. \”A new Gloucester Plumbing building would enhance the south entrance to the City. The lighting will be better and the landscaping will be improved. All and all it is a good plan.\”

I spoke with Councilman Nick Marchese today and was told the Department of Community Affairs has given the City the go ahead to buy the Gloucester Heights Fire Hall, and renovate it into a Senior Citizens Community Center. A $400,000 state grant for the Community Center was received by the Kilcourse administration in 2005-06 but for some reason no action was taken to utilize the money. In 2007 when the James administration took control they found the deadline for using the money for a senior center was about to expire. The proposal to use the Fire Hall for the Community Center was presented several months ago to the state. Marchese said approval of the plan from the Department of Community Affairs has recently been received.

Marchese said the Fire Department will still be located in the building but will only utilize the side where the fire equipment is kept. \”With the money they receive from the sale of the hall the plans call for the construction of a second floor on top of the garage for the firemen\’s use,\” said Marchese.

He further explained that one-half of the hall will be section off for the use of the senior citizens on a daily basis. The other half of the hall will be rented out for weddings and other functions. The City will own the property. He expects action on the plans will start in the very near future.

At last Thursday, council meeting a resolution (R276) was passed to allow the City of Gloucester City to enter in to Agreements for the Sale of the Properties known as Chatham Square and Gloucester Terrace. According to Marchese if an agreement is reached to purchase the property, the apartments would be demolished and single family homes would be built. Both he and Mayor James said that this idea is in the early planning stages.

Chatham Square is located on Rt. 130 and Klemm Avenue in the area where Beazer Construction Company has built 64 new homes.

NOTE: I received several recommendations for the November Cheers and Jeers column that I did not use. The reason, I had already submitted the column. They are on file and I plan to publish the suggestions in my December column. In the mean time if you have a Jeer or Cheer you would like to submit for this month\’s column send it to [email protected].