Box Score MAHWAH, N.J. – Junior forward
Jordan McDaniel poured in 17 of his game-high 20 points in the second half as Rutgers University-Newark held off Ramapo College for a 68-61 New Jersey Athletic Conference win in the Bradley Center.
McDaniel, who finished with eight rebounds and a career-high six assists, made 13 of 14 free throws in the second half as the Scarlet Raiders (11-4, NAJC 5-3) turned back a Roadrunner rally for their second league win in the last five outings.
In a see-saw second half which featured four ties and seven lead changes, McDaniel had a conventional 3-point play and two free throws in the middle of the decisive 9-0 run which turned a one-point deficit into a 62-54 lead with 42 seconds remaining. Sophomore guard
Darrian Collins, who totaled seven points, a game-high nine rebounds and three assists, dropped in a pair of free throws to cap the rally and Ramapo would get no closer than five points in the final seconds.
After hitting just eight of 23 shots from the floor in the opening period, the Raiders drained a sizzling 59.1% (13-22) of their chances from the floor and 18 of 20 free throws during the final 20 minutes.
On the other end of the floor, Rutgers-Newark held the Roadrunners to 29.6% (16-54) field goal accuracy for the game to offset a 23 for 28 night at the charity stripe by the hosts.
The Raiders dominated the rebounding, 40-26, to offset a season-high 23 turnovers.
Ramapo battled to a 24-21 lead at the half and got the first bucket of the second period before senior swingman
Christian Garcia and McDaniel combined for 11 points during a crucial 14-4 run which staked Rutgers-Newark to a 35-30 lead.
Freshman forward Nick Stanek tallied five points as the Roadrunners answered with a 15-4 spree to take a 52-51 lead with 3:25 remaining. The lead changed hands twice before senior guard
Chris Foreman ignited Rutgers-Newark's final surge with a layup to put the Raiders ahead for keeps.
Garcia finished with a dozen points and three rebounds while Foreman sank five of nine shots from 3-point range to total 17 points. Junior forward
David Azoroh worked inside for 10 points, five rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals as the Raiders got all but two of their points from five players.
Freshman guard James Long paced the Roadrunners with 16 points and four assists while junior forward Frank Nock chipped in 14 points. Freshman forward Ve'Shawn Polite made seven of eight free throws on his way to 11 points, six rebounds and a game-high three steals.
It was the third loss in the last four games for Ramapo (10-5, NJAC 4-4) which was coming off of a 65-63 upset of conference co-leader Richard Stockton on Monday.
Rutgers-Newark hosts Rowan University in an NJAC doubleheader on Saturday night in The Golden Dome Arena. The women's game tips off at 6 with the men to follow at 8.
