Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College men's basketball team extended their win streak to six games with a win tonight over Rutgers-Newark University, 71-62. The Roadrunners improve to 10-3 overall and 4-2 in the NJAC while the Scarlet Raiders drop to 5-8 overall and 1-5 in the league.
Each team tallied 33 points in the first half as the game was tied heading into halftime.
Tyrell Murchison sank a three-pointer with 3:12 remaining in the first half to give Ramapo a one-point lead, 29-28. Shy'he Jenkins-Floyd hit a three-pointer for Rutgers-Newark before a tip-in from
Justin Bladen once again tied the game at 31 (1:02). Essam Assaf put two points on the board for Rutgers-Newark in the paint before Murchison grabbed an offensive rebound for Ramapo and scored a jumper of his own to head into the locker room tied at 33.
Jordan Myers opened the second half scoring the first three baskets for the Roadrunners as they took a 39-33 lead. Assaf added a basket for the Scarlet Raiders before
Shane Rooney converted on an and-one play for a seven-point lead with less than 16 minutes on the clock. A mini 5-0 run from Rutgers-Newark shrunk the Ramapo lead to just two before
Peter Gorman started a 7-2 run with a jumper while it was capped off with a pair of free throws from Bladen, 49-42, with 11:59 on the clock. Back-to-back threes and a layup from Rutgers-Newark gave them a one-point lead with under 8:40 to play. Ramapo then went on a 15-2 run which gave them a 12-point lead with 4:33 on the clock, 64-52. Rutgers-Newark finished the game on a 10-7 run as Ramapo held onto the NJAC home victory, 71-62.
Gorman led the way for the Roadrunners with a 25-point game performance which included two three-pointers. He added two steals, four rebounds and one assist. Myers posted 13 points, two blocks, two steals while Bladen added ten points, five rebounds and two assists.
Tim Linton and
Anthony Corbo each collected seven rebounds while Linton posted four points and two blocks. The Roadrunners shot 43% (24-55) from the field, 35% (5-14) from the three-point line and 78% (18-23) from the free throw line. Ramapo scored 28 points in the paint and scored 11 points off Rutgers-Newark turnovers.
Three Scarlet Raiders scored in double figures while they were led by Assaf who posted a double-double, 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jenkins-Floyd added a team high 16 points while adding four assists and five rebounds. Levi Holton contributed with ten points, three rebounds and two assists. The team shot 42% (26-61) from the field, 30% (6-20) from the three-point line and 36% (4-11) from the free throw line.
Ramapo returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 11th when they travel to NJAC rival Rowan University for a game at 3pm.
