Box Score

NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark limited the College of New Jersey to just 18 second-half points on its way to a 58-46 New Jersey Athletic Conference win in The Golden Dome Arena.

Sophomore swingman Christian Garcia scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half when the Scarlet Raiders (10-3, NJAC 5-2) held the Lions (3-9, NJAC 1-6) to just six field goals on 25% shooting (6-24) to break open the game after a seesaw first period. It was the second fewest points allowed in a game by Rutgers-Newark this season, trailing only a 51-39 defensive gem against New Jersey City on November 28.

Garcia finished with five rebounds, four assists and three steals as Rutgers-Newark extended its winning streak to four games.  The Raiders have won eight of their last nine contests.

Freshman forward David Azoroh sparked the key 15-4 run to open the second half by bulling inside for four buckets while Garcia added five points to give the Raiders a 42-32 lead with 11:47 left.  The Lions never got closer than eight points as Rutgers-Newark pulled away to lead by as many as 17 in the final minutes.

Azoroh totaled eight points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots – all in the second half.  Senior center Hussein Abdelmaksoud worked inside for 11 points, two blocked shots and a team-high eight rebounds while sophomore guard Doze Ikwuegbu did all of his damage in the first half with eight points and two assists.

Freshman guard Rahim Bunch came off the bench to match Garcia with a game-high four assists while chipping in four rebounds, two points and a block.  Sophomore guard John Snow finished with five points and five rebounds.

TCNJ was led by junior guard Matthew Rista with 15 points and three assists while sophomore guard Jayson Johnson added 12 points.  Freshman forward Mitch Miller pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds while sophomore forward Alex Fox contributed seven points and three assists.

In the first half, there were six lead changes and four ties, but the Lions used a 7-2 edge in second-chance points to post a 28-27 lead after 20 minutes.  TCNJ attempted 11 more shots from the field to hold the slim edge despite 50% (9-18) field goal and 75% (6-8) accuracy by the Raiders.  After Garcia gave Rutgers-Newark the lead with 18 ticks left with a pair of free throws, Johnson sent TCNJ into intermission with the lead by nailing a jumper with just seven seconds left.

In the second half, the Raiders shot a sizzling 57.1% (12-21) while taking over the boards, 19-12.

Rutgers-Newark visits Kean University on Wednesday for a doubleheader.  The women's game tips off at 6 p.m. before the men's NJAC contest follows at 8.