Box Score CAMDEN, N.J. – Junior forward
Jordan McDaniel poured in 15 of his career-high 28 points in the second half as Rutgers University-Newark fended off Rutgers University-Camden, 75-70, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference battle in the RU-C Athletics and Fitness Center.
McDaniel started and finished a crucial 11-0 Scarlet Raider run with 3-point jumpers when Rutgers-Newark converted a 3-point deficit into a 51-43 lead. The 3-minute surge put the Raiders in the lead for good with 10:59 remaining.
A layup by freshman forward Abby Bah brought Rutgers-Camden to within two points at 51-49 with 9:09 left as the Scarlet Raptors stayed within striking distance until the final minutes.
Senior swingman
Christian Garcia connected on a pair of free throws with 1:32 left to give the Raiders their biggest lead of the game at 69-59 and move Rutgers-Newark out of danger. A buzzer-beating trey by senior guard KJ Brown set the final margin at five points.
Rutgers-Newark scratched out a 34-32 halftime lead after four lead changes and two ties during the opening 20 minutes.
McDaniel knocked down four of seven shots from beyond the arc to help the Raiders make nine of 16 long-range jumpers and shoot 53.7% (22-41) overall. He also drained 10 of 13 free throws as Rutgers-Newark sank 22 of 36 charity tosses to outscore the Scarlet Raptors by a dozen points at the line.
Junior forward
David Azoroh, who grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, was the only other Raider in double figure points with a dozen. Garcia finished with nine points and a game-high five assists as Rutgers-Newark shook off the rust after an 18-day break for fall semester final exams.
Senior guard
Chris Foreman hit two of three 3-point jumpers and both of his free throws for eight points while guard
Doze Ikwuegbu and
Darrian Collins added five points each for the Raiders.
Brown and senior forward Alex Smart paced Rutgers-Camden (7-5, NJAC 2-4) with 18 points apiece. Smart, who dished off three assists, pulled down seven rebounds to help the Raptors control the boards, 35-26. Brown, who hit five of 14 shots from beyond the arc, came up with a game-high three steals. Senior guard Wyatt Polk scored 11 points before fouling out of the game.
The Raiders (10-3, NJAC 4-2) snapped a 2-game losing streak in the conference while posting their second straight victory.
Rutgers-Newark hosts William Paterson in an NJAC doubleheader on Saturday in The Golden Dome Arena. The women's game tips off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8.
