It’s been a big week for the Stockton University men’s and women’s basketball teams, as both squads showcased impressive performances and thrilling victories on the court.

The Stockton women’s basketball team began their season on a high note, securing a 56-42 victory over Brooklyn College in their home opener on November 9. The team continued their strong start with another win against Gallaudet University, the final score being 66-60. Sophomore Katie Rausch was the standout player in this game, scoring a career-high 18 points to lead the Ospreys to victory. Grace Speer also contributed significantly, adding 14 points. The duo were the only two players to reach double-digit scoring, demonstrating their leadership and offensive firepower.

However, the Ospreys faced a tough challenge in their next game against Alvernia, suffering a narrow 69-62 defeat. Stockton held a slim lead going into halftime, but Alvernia mounted a strong second-half comeback to snatch the victory. Despite the loss, Stockton showed resilience and competitiveness, traits they will look to build on as the season progresses.

Meanwhile, the Stockton men’s basketball team had an exciting weekend at the Tip-Off for Autism event, hosted by Widener University. The Ospreys faced Catholic University on Friday, and after a dramatic second-half rally, Stockton emerged victorious with an 80-77 win. Devon Johnson played a pivotal role in the Ospreys’ victory, scoring a career-high 21 points, including key shots during the team’s second-half comeback. His performance was crucial as the Ospreys dug deep to overcome a tough Catholic team. EJ Matthews-Spratley was also outstanding, earning MVP honors after scoring a career-high 22 points. Matthews-Spratley’s leadership and scoring ability were essential to Stockton’s strong finish and securing the win in this hard-fought contest.

Both the Stockton men’s and women’s basketball teams have shown promise early in the season, with standout individual performances and competitive team play. As they head into the rest of their schedules, the Ospreys will look to build on these early victories and continue developing their chemistry and skills for the challenges ahead.

With key players like Rausch, Speer, Johnson, and Matthews-Spratley stepping up, the Ospreys are poised for another exciting season of basketball.