Box Score Newark, NJ:  The Rutgers Newark University men's basketball team held on for a 72-69 NJAC victory over #10 Ramapo College tonight at the Golden Dome Arena. The Scarlet Raiders improve to 17-6 overall, 11-5 in the NJAC while the Roadrunners now stand at 20-3 overall and 14-2 in the conference.

In the first half, the Scarlet Raiders took the lead into the locker room with a three point shot from Doze Ikwuegbu as halftime buzzer sounded, 28-27. Ramapo got on the board first with a three point shot from senior Anthony LoRusso (19:21) before the Scarlet Raiders scored their first basket with 18:40 on the clock from Christian Garcia. Ramapo extended their lead to six, 14-8, (12:16) on a made layup from senior Stephon Treadwell. Ramapo saw their biggest lead, 23-15 (7:52) on a good three pointer from senior Will Sanborn off an assist from junior Patrick O'Connell. Rutgers Newark cut the lead to four with a pair of made foul shots (7:44) and a made basket (6:05) before senior Elgin Brown hit a jumper to extend the Ramapo lead, 25-19 (5:43). The Scarlet Raiders would close the half on a 9-2 run capped off by the made three from Ikwuegbu to take the lead.

In the first half; Ramapo shot 37% (12-32) from the field and 50% (1-2) from the foul line. Brown led the team in the half with ten points while LoRusso added six points of his own. The Scarlet Raiders shot 36% (12-33) from the field and 75% (3-4) from the foul line. Hussein Abdelmaksoud led the team with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Ramapo tied the game in the second half, 31-31 on a jumper by senior Garret Thiel with 18:21 on the clock, which started a mini 5-0 run capped off by a jumper and made foul shot by Sanborn to take a, 34-31 lead (17:58). The two teams traded shots before Ikuegbu nailed a three pointer to tie the game for a third time, 36-36 (17:15). Ramapo put up the next four points as Brown sank two foul shots and a made basket, 40-36 (16:13). A layup and made three by Rutgers Newark cut the lead to one, 41-42 (14:29); before they took a one point lead, 43-42 with a made jumper from Abdelmaksoud (13:31). Ramapo posted back to back shots from Treadwell and Sanborn before another three from Muhammad tied the game at 46 all (10:54). From there the Scarlet Raiders took control of the game, as that sparked a 12-0 run, to take a nine pint lead (55-46) with 7:16 to go in the game. A LoRusso three pointer cut the lead back to six, 49-55 before Muhammad nailed another shot from behind the three point line, 58-49. Ramapo cut the lead to four with 3:16 left in the game as they went on an 8-3 run to close the gap to 57-61. Thiel sank two foul shots for Ramapo before John Snow sank a jumper for Rutgers Newark to hold a seven point lead, 66-59 with just under two minutes to play in the game. Two more foul shots and a made basket from the Scarlet Raiders extended their lead to ten with 56 seconds on the clock, 70-60. Ramapo then went on a 9-1 run over the next 31 seconds to cut the lead to two, 69-71 with just 25 seconds remaining in the game. Following a timeout, Rutgers Newark was fouled sending Snow to the line for two shots as he made the front end of the two shot foul, giving Ramapo the ball with twenty seconds left in the game. The Roadrunners missed a shot with 14 seconds on the clock before the Scarlet Raiders missed both foul shots allowing Ramapo a chance to tie the game with a three pointer. The Roadrunners were able to get the shot off before the horn sounded but it did not fall allowing Rutgers Newark to come away with a 72-69 win.

Brown led the Roadrunners in the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds while Sanborn and LoRusso each posted 14 points. Thiel added 11 points and seven rebounds while Treadwell contributed with nine points and eight rebounds. The Roadrunners shot 39% (26-53) from the field in the game while they shot 73% (14-19) from the foul line and 41% (5-12) from the three point line.

Abdelmaksoud posted a game high 20 points and 13 rebounds while Muhammad added 18 points, including four three pointers along with six rebounds.

The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday when they host NJAC rival Richard Stockton College at 3pm. Ramapo will honor their senior class, Will Sanborn, Anthony LoRusso, Elgin Brown, Garret Thiel, Stephon Treadwell and Mike Nweme, prior to the start of the game.

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