Camden, NJ: The Rutgers-Camden University men's basketball team defeated Ramapo College 60-55 today in NJAC action. The Scarlet Raptors improve to 10-7 overall and 5-6 in the NJAC while the Roadrunners move to 4-14 overall and 3-8 in the league.
Rutgers-Camden stretched their lead to 23-11 in the first half with a three-pointer from Eric Benjamin with 8:40 remaining. The Roadrunners would respond with an 11-7 run of their own to close out the first half.
Alex Potts nailed a three-pointer to spark the run with 5:48 on the clock while
Keithan Shuler added four points during the run. The Scarlet Raptors went into the locker room up eight, 30-22.
In the second half, the Scarlet Raptors opened on a 10-6 run to take a 40-28 lead with 16 minutes remaining. Over the 6:30 of the game the Roadrunners battled back to take a two-point lead with 9:30 left to play. The 19-5 run gave Ramapo a 47-45 lead as
Tyrell Murchison sank a pair of free throws to give the team the lead. During the run, Ramapo finished 6-10 from the field including four three-pointers along with being perfect from the charity stripe (3-3). Eric Benjamin sank a three-pointer for Rutgers-Camden to retake the lead (9:01) before
Orion Mickens scored a layup for Ramapo to retake the lead once again with 8:44 remaining, 49-48. The two teams traded baskets as the lead changed four more times. The final 8-2 run for the Scarlet Raptors was started with a basket from Maka Crawford which gave them a 54-53 lead with 2:33 on the clock as they closed out the game and hold off the Roadrunners, 60-55.
Downs led all scorers in the game with 34 points to lead Rutgers-Camden. He recorded five made three-pointers in the game as he finished 14-23 from the field while grabbing eight rebounds. Benjamin contributed with 12 points while Ryan Senft added seven points and seven rebounds. The team shot 39% (25-63) from the field, 26% (9-34) from the three-point line and 1-1 from the free throw line.
Lewis led the way for the Roadrunners as he recorded 16 points and two blocks. Murchison added nine points, six rebounds and two assists while Mickens led the way with 13 rebounds and added six points.
Jalen Thomas also contributed with six points. Ramapo shot 43% (20-46) from the field, 33% (5-15) from the three-point line and 71% (10-14) from the free throw line.
Ramapo returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 28th when they host Kean University at 7:30 PM.
