Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College men's basketball team defeated the Red Hawks of Montclair State University tonight, 75-69, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up. The Roadrunners improve to 14-5 overall, 8-4 in the conference while the Red Hawks fall to 12-6 overall, 7-4 in the conference.
Ramapo shot 27-55 (49.1%) from the field and 17-24 (70.8%) from the line in the game.
Kashaun Barnes led the Roadrunners with 18 points,
Rob Lewis scored 13 points and collected nine rebounds, and
Rob McWilliams had 11 points and seven rebounds. Montclair State hit 25-61 (41%) from the field and 10-14 (71.4%) from the line. Eddie Emedoh led the Red Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Akbar Hoffman netted 19 points, and Joseph Radi had 11.
The two teams played offensively even, in the first 14 minutes of play. Barnes would spark a 7-0 run for the Roadrunners with a jump shot, 30-32 before
Jason Battle would tie the game with 4:23 remaining in the half at 32 off a layup. Barnes would then give the Roadrunners a one-point lead off a two-shot foul, making the first, he capped off the run making two more from the line, 35-32. Emedoh answered back with a dunk for the Red Hawks to bring them back within one.
Jordan Zagadou and Emedoh traded layups before Barnes went to the line with 1:20 left in the half netting two more points, 39-36. The Red Hawks would turn the ball over and Zagadou took advantage adding two more for Ramapo with 49 seconds left. With one second left on the clock Battle would sink a three-point shot, sending the teams into the locker room with Ramapo on top by eight, 44-36.
In the first half, Ramapo hit 16-31 (51.6%) from the field with Barnes netting 13 points and
Matt Latka collecting four rebounds. Montclair State shot 11-29 (37.9%) from the field behind 16 points and five rebounds from Emedoh.
In the second half, Jordan Roberson made a layup to bring the Red Hawks within three points of the Roadrunners with 16:15 left on the clock, 44-47. The teams would trade baskets before Irving Callender IV would make a layup to tie the game at 51 (14:25). The Roadrunners would extend their lead to five off a layup from Lewis, 58-53 before the two teams would trade baskets over the next three minutes with the Roadrunners remaining on top. Lewis would extend the Roadrunner lead to seven off a pair of made free throws, 66-59. With just over five minutes left to play Montclair's Callender made a three-point shot, closing the gap to four.
Connor Romano answered back by sinking a deep three-pointer, 69-62. Hoffman would score back to back baskets bringing the Red Hawks within three, 66-69, forcing the Roadrunners to call a time-out. With 1:03 to go McWilliams netted a three-point shot extending the lead to five, 72-66. Ramapo tallied three more points off free throws by Battle, Barnes, and Zagadou. Radi got a shot off with seven seconds left to add three more to the board for Montclair, 69-75, but it was not enough to top the Roadrunners.
In the second half, Ramapo hit 11-24 (45.8%) with Lewis and McWilliams both netting seven points and collecting six rebounds. Montclair shot 14-32 (43.8%) with Hoffman scoring 14 points.
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, January 26th when they host Rowan University. The Roadrunners will also host its 3rd Annual Hero's Day. Do you know a hero? Calling all service men and women, fire, police, medical personnel, first responders, and your family and friends! Join us for some great basketball, a special halftime tribute, activities for the kids (face painting, photo booth and more!), contests, prizes and FREE admission and snacks. Game time is 3pm.
