Box Score 2/3/24
 
EDISON, NJ – Lackawanna College men's basketball once again fell into a double-digit hole in Region XIX play, but this time the Falcons couldn't climb all the way out, as the Middlesex Colts were red-hot from downtown in a 95-86 victory in NJCAA Region XIX Division II men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon in New Jersey.
 
The Falcons (8-13, 4-6) needed two wins in their final three Region XIX contests in the regular season to make the playoffs, and had beaten Middlesex (18-6, 7-2) earlier this season at home, but the Colts made seven three-pointers and ripped the nets for 53 points in the first half, taking a ten-point advantage into the break. That pace continued into the second half, as the Colts built a 22-point advantage past the midway point of the second, before the Falcons rallied. But, unlike the game against Essex last week where the Falcons came all the way back to force overtime, Lackawanna couldn't completely close the gap. The Falcons got within ten with 2:30 to play, then got the game as close as 91-86 with 30 seconds to play, thanks to 12 second-half points from Pablo Avalos Ortiz (Sophomore; Málaga, Spain). A steal by Ortiz set-up the Falcons to cut it to a one-possession game, but the Falcons missed a three-point shot, then couldn't convert the offensive rebound. Middlesex took advantage of the mistakes to score four quick points on empty Lackawanna possessions to solidify the win.
 
Lackawanna put three players in double-figures, including a season-best 23 points from Ortiz. Aamir Mack (Sophomore; Atlantic City, NJ) put up 21 points, while Daryl Coleman (Sophomore; Allentown, PA) had 16 points.
 
Middlesex was led by Nigel Garcia's game-high 27 points. Jahmere Glover added 22, and Savion Pressley put up 17 for the Colts.
 
The Falcons now must win their remaining two Region XIX games to qualify for the region playoffs. Their next contest is Tuesday, February 6^th, when Lackawanna is scheduled to travel to take on County College of Morris. Tip is scheduled for 7:00pm ET in Randolph, NJ. The Falcons fell to Morris, 82-65, at home back on December 12^th.