Camden, NJ: The Rutgers-Camden University men's basketball team defeated Ramapo College, 61-58, in NJAC action. The Scarlet Raptors move to 4-18 overall and 2-13 in the NJAC while the Roadrunners now stand at 9-13 overall and 5-10 in the conference.
The Scarlet Raptors jumped out to an early first half lead and held on down the stretch in the second half to hold off Ramapo. Rutgers-Camden opened up an eleven point lead in the first half, 13-2, in the first four minutes of action. Ramapo then went on a 17-5 run to take a 19-18 lead with 8:28 on the clock. The run was capped off with a basket by
Shane Rooney to take the one point lead. A jumper and three-pointer from Rutgers-Camden gave them a four point lead with less than seven minutes left to play in the half. The Scarlet Raptors were up five before
Justin Bladen sank a three-pointer for Ramapo, cutting the lead to just two. Sean Jules sank a jumper for Rutgers-Camden while
Peter Gorman sank another three-pointer for Ramapo, cutting the lead to just one with 3:16 on the clock. Rutgers-Camden finished the half on a 5-2 run to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
In the first ten minutes of action in the second half, the Scarlet Raptors pushed the lead to 14 on a layup from Cameron Downs, 52-38. Downs sank a three-pointer as Rutgers-Camden before Ramapo went on a 14-4 run capped off with a three-pointer from Gorman. The Scarlet Raptors led 59-56 with less than 30 seconds on the clock. Downs converted on one free throw before
Jordan Myers scored on a layup to cut the lead to just two with 20 seconds remaining. Qua'Meer Amin sank one free throw on the line to hold a three point lead with 11 seconds on the clock, 61-58. Ramapo was able to get a three-pointer off at the buzzer but could not convert as Rutgers-Camden held onto the victory.
Three Roadrunners scored in double figures as they were led by Gorman who posted 17 points. Myers recorded 13 points while grabbing six rebounds and Bladen tallied 12 points and three rebounds.
Shane Rooney led the way with eight rebounds while adding six points. Ramapo shot 41% (21-51) from the floor in the game, 33% (6-18) from the three-point line and 71% (10-14) from the free throw line.
The Scarlet Raptors were led by Downs who posted 17 points, three blocks, three rebounds and two assists. Jaymes Savage posted a team high seven rebounds while adding six points. Jordan Trusty-Smith collected eight points while Amin and Ethan Tarte each contributed with seven points in the game. Rutgers-Camden shot 45% (25-55) from the field in the game, 29% (8-27) from the three-point line and 25% (3-12) from the free throw line.
Ramapo returns to action on Wednesday, February 8th when they host Montclair State University in NJAC action at the Bradley Center at 7:30pm.
