Box Score Mahwah, NJ:  The Ramapo College men's basketball team fought from behind to defeat the Cougars of Medgar Evers, 80-61, in a non-conference match-up tonight at the Bradley Center.  The Roadrunners, currently ranked #10 in the latest D3Hoops.com poll, improve to 10-1 overall on the year.  The Cougars fall to 5-7.

Garret Thiel led all scorers with 23 points and completed a double-double with ten rebounds, leading Ramapo to the 19-point victory. 

It took just under four minutes for the Roadrunners to get on the board as the Cougars jumped out to a 13-0 lead to start the game.  Thiel finally got Ramapo on the board with a two-point goal with 16:03 on the clock, before a 9-2 Ramapo run, capped off with a jump shot from senior Will Sanborn, put the Roadrunners within four (11-15), with 12:46 left to play in the half.

The Cougars stretched their lead back to seven on four occasions, before another Ramapo run would tie the game for the first time at 27 all.  Anthony LoRusso capped off the run with two free throws with just 3:57 left to play.  The two teams traded baskets down the stretch, and LoRusso sank a big three-point goal with 23 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 33 heading into the locker room.

Ramapo shot 35% (11-31) from the floor and 75% (9-12) from the charity stripe, while out rebounding Medgar Evers, 24-18.  Ramapo forced ten Medgar Evers turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play.

The teams traded baskets once again at the start of the second half, before an 8-0 run sparked by a jumper from Thiel, and capped off by a jumper from LoRusso, gave the Roadrunners a 54-44 lead with 11:43 to play.  Medgar Evers responded with a three-pointer from Maleek Morris to come within seven, but a 9-0 Ramapo run, to go up 16 with 9:28 to play, would prove to be too much for the Cougars' offense.  The Roadrunners grabbed their biggest lead of 21 (78-57) with 2:09 to play, with a three-point goal from Patrick O'Connell, and again with 21 ticks on the clock (80-59), when Ethan Vallellanes hit a jumper.  The Roadrunners combined hitting 17-32 (53%) in the second half, while the Cougars sunk 11-28 (39%). 

LoRusso shot 3-8 in the win for 15 points.  He also dished out three assists and grabbed two steals.  Elgin Brown and Stephon Treadwell contributed 12 points each in the non-conference victory.

The Roadrunners return to action when they travel to NJAC rival, Rowan University, on Saturday, January 5th for a 1pm tip.

Proud Sponsors of Ramapo Athletics
Coach USA - Gold Plus Sponsor
Courtyard Marriott - Silver Sponsor
Coca-Cola Refreshments - Silver Sponsor
Sport Care - Bronze Sponsor
Mahwah Bar & Grill - Bronze Sponsor
Moe's Mahwah - Bronze Sponsor