Gallatin, TN: The Augsburg University men's basketball team held off a Ramapo College comeback to earn a 80-73 win today at the Music City Classic. The Auggies, who won their 7th straight, move to 9-1 overall while the Roadrunners now stand at 2-9 on the season.
The game was close in the first half with five ties, the last with the Roadrunners sinking two free throws from
Elijah Barlow to tie the game at 12 (13:30). The Auggies would go on a 16-6 run capped off with a three-pointer from Daveion Hart with 6:20 remaining to take a 28-18 lead. A three-pointer from Barlow snapped the run before went on a mini 5-0 run of his own with a three-pointer and jumper for a 33-21 score with less than 4:30 remaining. The two teams would trade baskets down the stretch as the Auggies went into the locker room with a ten-point lead, 41-31.
In the second half, Keenan Rodriquez sank a three for Augsburg to give them a 19-point lead, 54-35, with just over 16 minutes remaining. The Auggies kept a double digit lead the majority of the half before the Roadrunners went on a a run with less than 12 minutes left in the game. Started by
Jalen Thomas with a two-point basket, the Roadrunner would shrink the lead to just two points with 5:22 on the clock. Thomas started the 18-5 run, which was highlighted by Barlow sinking three free throws, as he was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. He followed up with a basket of his own, which cut the lead to four before Thomas capped off the run with a layup bringing the Roadrunners within two, 62-64, with 5:22 remaining. The Auggies responded and held off the Ramapo comeback. They ended the game on a 16-8 run of their own to earn the non-conference victory.
JJ Semanko tallied 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Auggies in the win. Elias Batala and Issac Rabaey each added 10 points.
For the Roadrunners, Barlow recorded his second season high of the season with 26 points as he finished 9-13 from the field, 1-2 from three-point line and 7-10 from the free throw line. Thomas posted a double double of 10 rebounds and 14 points while
Jack O'Leary was crucial in the late run for Ramapo as he finished with 12 points including 3-4 from the three-point line.
Nahum Lewis added 11 points for the team.
Ramapo reruns to action tomorrow at the Music City Classic when they take on Centre College (5-2 overall) at 6:00pm EST.
