Orange’s Khalid Muhammad sparks New Jersey City University men’s basketball team to victory

Editor’s note: This article was written by Ira P. Thor, New Jersey City University Sports Information Director.

ORANGE – Senior small forward Khalid Muhammad, an Orange High School graduate, broke out a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double and the New Jersey Athletic Conference-leading New Jersey City University men’s basketball team knocked down a dozen three-pointers overall in an 88-81 NJAC win over Rowan University on January 30 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).

NJCU (12-6, 10-2) won its third in a row and maintained a solid game lead in the NJAC standings while sweeping its third season series from a conference opponent so far-Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson and Rowan-with two-thirds of the league slate now complete. Rowan, chasing one of the final berths into next month’s conference tournament, is 8-12 (5-8 NJAC) and had its two-game winning streak snuffed out.

The win was the 127th in the career of ninth-year head coach Marc Brown-moving him into sole possession of third place on the program’s all-time victories list.

NJCU had a staggering 50-22 margin in rebounding, including 25-8 on the offensive glass where NJCU owned a 23-8 differential in second chance scoring. NJCU’s reserves outscored the Profs’ bench, 47-16.

Muhammad moved into 20th place in school history with 1,153 points, coming off the bench to score at least 20 points for the 10th time in his career-and reach double figures for a 63rd time-while posting his third collegiate double-double and his first against an NJAC opponent.Muhammad was 8-of-15 from the field with a season-best 20 points, a career-high 14 rebounds including nine offensively, three assists and three steals.

He was one of four Gothic Knights in double figures as three other first-year members of the program, including two freshmen, scored at least 15. Five different NJCU players hit a three-point shot