| Box Score 2

NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark and Washington& Lee advanced to the championship game of the John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic with double-digit wins over Brooklyn College and Tufts, respectively, in The Golden Dome.

The host Scarlet Raiders powered past Brooklyn College, 74-58, in the nightcap after the Generals upended Tufts, 79-68, to set up a 4 o'clock Saturday showdown for the tournament crown.  The Bulldogs and Jumbos square off in the consolation contest at 2 p.m.

Senior point guard Al'Don Muhammad posted 21 points, nine rebounds five assists and three steals to pace Rutgers-Newark, making all eight of his free throws to help the Raiders shoot 75% (27-36) from the foul line.

Sophomore swingman Christian Garcia chipped in 13 points and six rebounds while freshman forward David Azoroh came off the bench to snare a game-high 10 boards while adding five points and four steals.  First-year senior forward Fateen Belfield tallied nine points and six rebounds in his debut in Scarlet & Black.

The Bulldogs were led by senior forward Kavon Baker who connected on eight of eight from the foul line on his way to 17 points.  Senior forward Steve Grant added 11 points and six rebounds while senior forward Filipp Bochkov blocked six shots while grabbing six rebounds.

Rutgers-Newark scratched out a 30-25 halftime edge behind nine points by Muhammad and seven by Belfield.

Senior center Hussein Abdelmaksoud ignited an 11-2 run with a conventional 3-point play and a layup as the Raiders went up 45-32 with 12:35 remaining.  Brooklyn never got closer than 11 points before Rutgers-Newark pulled away to lead by as many as 23 points.

In the opening game, junior guard Kevin Gill had 17 points and four assists to lead a balanced Washington & Lee attack.  The Generals, who led wire-to-wire, were ahead 37-22 at the half.

BOX SCORE: W&L 79, Tufts 68

Sophomore guard Clay McLean came off the bench for 15 points while sophomore guard Javon McDonald tallied 14 for W&L.  Senior forward J.D. Ey worked inside for 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a game-high four blocked shots.

Tufts was paced by sophomore guard Ben Ferris who netted a game-high 18 points while adding six rebounds, two assists and two steals.  Freshman guard Stephen Haladyna came off the bench for 17 points while senior center Matt Lanchantin worked for nine points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots inside.