MIDDLESEX COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL HOLDS OFF MANHATTAN CC 70-55 IN NJCAA D2 OPENER

Savion Pressley scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half and Middlesex College went 7-8 from the free throw line down the stretch as the Colts topped Borough of Manhattan County College 70-55.

The win comes in Middlesex College's first game as an NJCAA Division II scholarship program after jumping up from Division III, where they had previously been.

The Colts (1-0) used a balanced attack in the first half in building a 39-27 halftime lead against Manhattan CC (0-1). Sean Williams (Freshman/Old Bridge, NJ) led Middlesex with nine first half points and Jakin Edmond (Sophomore/Union, NJ) added eight first half points as well.

Middlesex continued to build a lead in the second half, widening the gap to as many as 18 points, until Manhattan rallied to cut the lead to single digits.

On consecutive possessions with less than five minutes, the Colts defense forced a shot clock violation, a turnover and a five-second violation to slow down Manhattan's comeback. From there, Middlesex was able to close out the win, outscoring Manhattan 31-28 in the second half.

Pressley's 19 points led the way for Middlesex, who also got 14 from Edmond and 15 from Williams.

The Colts will be back in action on Friday, November 10 when they travel to the College of Southern Maryland. Game time is set for 7:00PM.