Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College men's basketball team came back to defeat Rutgers-Camden University tonight at the Bradley Center, 73-68. The Roadrunners improve to 14-4 overall and 8-3 in the NJAC while the Scarlet Raptors drop to 7-10 overall and 2-9 in the league.
With 14:13 in the second half Rutgers-Camden took a one-point lead on jumper from Eric Benjamin, 42-41. The Scarlet Raptors would stretch the lead to as many as ten points with 4:19 on the clock, 63-53. The two teams traded baskets before Rutgers-Camden led by nine with just under three minutes on the clock, 65-56.
Peter Gorman would connect on back-to-back three-pointers as Ramapo turned up the intensity on defense. Following his first three (2:43) the Roadrunners were able to grab a turnover which allowed Gorman to sink another three to cut the lead to three with 2:25 on the clock, 62-65.
Tim Linton earned a steal for Ramapo as
Shane Rooney added a jumper in the paint cutting the lead to one. At the other end, Linton grabbed a defensive rebound before Gorman pushed the ball up the court to
Justin Bladen. Blade sank a three to take the lead for good, 67-65, with 1:15 remaining. Rutgers-Camden made one free throw before Bladen went to the line with 39 seconds on the clock as he made both, 69-66. Linton and Gorman each converted from the free throw line down the stretch as Ramapo earned the NJAC victory.
Three players scored in double figures for Rutgers-Camden including two starters. Cameron Downs led the team with 22 points and nine rebounds while Benjamin posted 17 points, four steals and three assists. Jordan Trusty-Smith contributed with 12 points and two steals. The team shot 41% (21-51) from the field, 41% (7-17) from the three-point line and 90% (19-21) from the free throw line.
Ramapo was led by Gorman who collected 21 points including five made three-pointers while finishing 4-4 from the free throw line.
Shane Rooney posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds while he added four assists and one steal.
Jordan Myers added ten points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals while Bladen added seven points and three rebounds.
Elijah Barlow posted seven points in 11 minutes of action along with one rebound and one steal. Ramapo shot 41% (22-53) from the field, 43% (7-16) from the three-point line and 75% (22-29) from the free throw line. The Roadrunners scored 21 points off of Scarlet Raptor turnovers along with 19 second chance points.
Ramapo returns to action on Wednesday evening when they travel to Kean University for a 7:35 PM NJAC matchup.
