Stockton sports were bustling from November 18-23, as both basketball teams fought hard during their weekly games while men’s cross country participated in the NCAA championship.

Men’s Basketball

The team faced a challenging week, beginning with a tough 63-73 loss to Swarthmore College. Despite the defeat, Eriq Campbell had an outstanding performance, recording a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, earning a double-double. EJ Matthews-Spratley added 14 points to the effort, while sophomore Andrew Crawford made a significant contribution with a career-high 8 points.

Bounce-back energy was on display in the following game, where the team secured a thrilling 100-94 victory over Eastern University. Martin Anguelov had a career-high 33 points, leading the charge, while Matthews-Spratley once again showcased his scoring ability, finishing with 27 points. The high-scoring affair was a testament to the team’s resilience and offensive firepower, giving them a well-earned win in a back-and-forth contest.

Women’s Basketball

The Ospreys put together an impressive performance in their win over FDU-Florham, led by senior Imene Fathi, who scored a team-high 19 points. Fathi’s offensive presence helped spark a balanced attack, with three other Ospreys reaching double digits. ChiChi Wokocha had a breakout game, setting career highs with 11 points and six rebounds, showcasing her growth as a key contributor.

Both Katie Rausch and Grace Speer each chipped in with 10 points apiece. Speer, in particular, made a major impact on the glass, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. This effort led to her first double-double of the season, a crucial component of the Ospreys’ well-rounded victory.

Stockton’s defense was also key, as they contained FDU-Florham throughout the game, never allowing the Devils to mount a serious comeback after taking control early. The Ospreys’ ability to dominate in the paint, alongside key offensive bursts, led them to a comfortable 72-58 win.

In a much tighter contest against Albright College, the Ospreys came up just short in a 69-64 loss. Grace Speer continued her strong play, leading Stockton with 17 points. She had an especially strong start, contributing to Stockton’s early 15-11 lead at the end of the first period.

Albright College, however, mounted a rally in the second quarter to take control, but the Ospreys showed resilience, managing to hold a one-point lead heading into the third. Despite strong efforts from Katie Rausch, who added 12 points, and key contributions from the rest of the team, Stockton was unable to fend off Albright’s fourth-quarter surge. Albright outscored the Ospreys in the final stretch, securing the 69-64 victory. The loss was a tough one for the Ospreys, who had led for much of the game and fought back valiantly but ultimately fell short against a well-coached Albright squad.

Men’s Cross Country

Stockton University senior Erik Ackerman finished his cross country career with a strong performance at the NCAA Division III Championship on Saturday the 23, placing 235th out of 294 runners with a time of 26:00.4 in the 8K race. Ackerman, competing at the NCAA Championship for the second consecutive year, was ranked 140 at the halfway point on a muddy course.

Ackerman earned his NCAA berth by finishing 10th at the NCAA Regionals, following a standout season. He is one of only three Stockton men to compete at the NCAA Championships. Ackerman earned US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors three times, was a two-time NJAC First Team selection, and was the 2023 NJAC Men’s Cross Country Champion and NJAC Runner of the Year.