NEW YORK, NY – Rutgers-Newark put five players in double figures, but Baruch went 33 of 37 from the free throw line to hold off the Scarlet Raiders for a 77-73 non-conference win in the ARC Arena.

Baruch 77, Rutgers-Newark 73 

Senior guard James Johnson came off the bench for 13 points and three assists and sophomore forward Ralph Jones had a dozen points and five rebounds for the Scarlet Raiders (4-3), but the Bearcats (5-1) benefited from 26 personal fouls whistled against Rutgers-Newark. The Raiders made 10 of 12 free throws as Baruch drew just 13 personal fouls in the physical contest. 

Senior forward Ryan Gillens hit five of six shots from the floor on his way to 11 points while senior point guard Tim Smith and freshman guard Al-Don Muhammad notched 10 points apiece as the Raiders tried to battle through foul trouble. Senior forward Phil Barnes added nine points and a team-high six rebounds while Muhammad also had a team-high four assists. 

The Raiders lost despite shooting a season-high 56.6% from the floor and making three of four shots from 3-point range.

Up 38-22 at the half, the Raiders battled to stay in the lead despite 17 second half fouls as Baruch stepped to the foul line an incredible 29 times in the second period, making 26 free throws. 

A Jones layup with 3:44 left gave the Raiders a 66-58 lead, sustaining the lead that Rutgers-Newark had held since the first basket.  But Baruch made 13 of 14 free throws and knocked down a pair of 3-point jumpers in the final 3:30 to close with a decisive 19-7 run. The Bearcats caught and passed the Raiders at 70-69 on a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Chris Beauchamp with 58 second left. Baruch then made seven of eight free throws in the final 29 seconds to hold off the Raiders. 

Senior forward George Kunkel went 12 for 12 from the free throw line to net a game-high 22 points for Baruch and he added 11 rebounds. Junior guard Tammer Farid drained four of seven 3-point jumpers on his way to 16 points for the Bearcats while Beauchamp and sophomore guard Mickey Abbatiello chipped in 10 points apiece. 

Rutgers-Newark visits York College in Jamaica, Queens, on Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader. The women tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 o'clock.