Newark, NJ: The Rutgers-Newark University men's basketball team came back in overtime to defeat Ramapo College, 65-64, in NJAC action. The Scarlet Raiders move to 5-12 overall and 3-7 in the NJAC While the Roadrunners now stand at 7-10 overall and 3-7 in the conference
Ramapo got on the board first in the game when
Jordan Myers hit a jumper before the two teams traded baskets and Ramapo led, 4-2. A three-pointer from Eli Camacho for Rutgers-Newark started a 12-2 run that was capped off by a three-pointer from Tony Godwin which gave them a 14-6 run with 11:36 on the clock.
Shane Rooney put down a dunk for Ramapo before
Anthony Corbo drained a three-pointer to shrink the lead, 11-4, with less than ten to play in the first half. This started a 9-2 run which cut the Scarlet Raider lead to just one, 15-16 with 7:34 on the clock. Rutgers-Newark would stretch their lead with a 7-2 run to take, 23-17, lead with less than three minutes left in the half. Myers and Godwin traded baskets before Rutgers-Newark held a seven point lead following a pair of free throws from Tyrone Bowens, 27-20.
Peter Gorman drained a three to close out the scoring for Ramapo in the first half with 39 seconds remaining as Rutgers-Newark went into the locker room up, 29-23.
In the second half, Rutgers-Newark led by six, 37-31, before Ramapo went on a 10-0 run. Myers started the run with a layup before Rooney tied the game at 37 and he scored the next six points as Ramapo led, 41-37. A basket from Shy'Heed Jenkins-Floyd snapped the Ramapo run before Corbo sank a pair of free throws, 43-39. Rooney converted an and-one play with a commanding dunk and made a free throw, 46-39. Ramapo would stretch their lead to seven following three straight points from the free-throw line, 49-42. Rutgers-Newark would come back to tie the game in the final thirty seconds with a pair of free throws from Levi Holton. Neither team could convert from the floor in the final 25 seconds sending the game into overtime.
Holton and Tyrone Bowens scored back-to-back baskets in the first three minutes of action to give Rutgers-Newark a 61-57 lead. Ramapo would come back to take a one point lead with a mini 5-0 run. Myers hit a jumper and converted a free throw before Gorman hit a driving jumper for the one point lead, 62-61. Myers then sank a pair of free throws with 28.7 seconds on the clock, 64-61. Holton would go to the free throw line for Rutgers-Newark and sink both to come within one, 63-64. The Scarlet Raiders forced a Ramapo turnover to regain possession. With 3.1 seconds left, Godwin was fouled and went to the line as he sank both free throws giving Rutgers-Newark a 65-64 lead. Ramapo would get a shot off as the buzzer sounded but it was off the mark as the Scarlet Raiders held on for the home victory in overtime.
Four players scored in double figures for Rutgers-Newark as Bowens scored 16 and posted seven rebounds. Godwin added 12 points and five rebounds while Holton and Jenkins-Floyd posted 11 and ten respectively. Jenkins-Floyd led the way with a double-double as he added ten rebounds and posted seven assists. The team shot 37% (21-56) from the floor, 5-25 (20%) from the three-point line and 85% (18-21) from the free throw line in the game.
Myers tied his career high 23 points while he added eight rebounds and three steals. Rooney posted 15 points and six rebounds while Gorman added 12 points in the game. Corbo led the team with ten rebounds while he contributed with five points. The Roadrunners shot 38% (19-49) from the field, 20% (3-15) from the three-point line and 79% (23-29) from the free throw line in the game.
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, January 21st when they travel to Stockton University for a NJAC game at 3pm.
