NEWARK, N.J. (November 26, 2017) – Junior forward Mark Thomas poured in a career-high 30 points on just 18 shots to lead the Rutgers University-Newark men's basketball team to an 80-73 non-conference win over Stevens Institute of Technology Sunday afternoon in The Golden Dome.
 
Rutgers-Newark improves to 2-2 with the win, while Stevens drops to 2-3.
 
With the Scarlet Raiders holding on to a three-point lead with 53 seconds remaining and needing a defensive stop, Thomas stepped in a took a huge charge to give Rutgers-Newark the ball leading 76-73. On the ensuing possession, senior guard Erick Loften-Harris made a huge hoop to push the lead back to five points, and after another defensive stand, Thomas made two free throws to ice the win.
 
The third-year all-conference performer finished with eight rebounds and a steal in a signature performance. Thomas' previous career-high was 25 points, achieving that mark on February 8, 2017 at Stockton University.
 
Senior center Dave Lunsford also poured in a career-high of 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, securing seven rebounds, rejecting three shots and even dishing out two assists in an excellent all-around performance. Lunsford has been playing very well off the bench for Rutgers-Newark in the early going.
 
The Scarlet Raiders quickly shook off any rust from Thanksgiving Recess, opening a 15-point lead during the first half and leading 38-27 after 20 minutes as Thomas drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer.
 
Stevens started with the game's first four points, but eight-straight tallies for the Scarlet Raiders handed the hosts an 8-4 lead 4:34 into the action. The Ducks came back to tie, but a 20-5 run over the next 8:40 made it a 28-13 contest in favor of the Scarlet Raiders. Lunsford sparked the early portions of the rally, and sophomore guard Chase Barneys poured in six points during the spurt.
 
The Ducks responded late, getting within six (33-27), but late three-pointers from Barneys and Thomas sent Newark into the locker room up 11.
 
Barneys started the second just like Thomas ended it, nailing a long three-pointer, and the Scarlet Raiders remained comfortably in front over the next few minutes. Freshman Quincy Rutherford hit 1-of-2 at the line, pushing the Newark advantage back to 13 (50-37) with 13:12 to play.
 
Stevens sliced into the Scarlet Raider lead, getting within seven points with 10:24 on the clock, but Thomas was able to battle for an offensive rebound before a three-point-play put his team back up 10 (55-45).
 
Thomas again put an end to a Stevens rally with 5:40 on the clock, taking it to the basket and converting another three-point-play to give the Scarlet Raiders a 63-54 lead, and down the stretch, it was Thomas getting a key charge and free throws sandwiched around the key bucket from Loften-Harris.
 
Rutgers-Newark shot 30-for-64 (46.9 percent) from the field, 33.3 percent (6-for-18) from range and 14-for-16 (87.5 percent) at the stripe. R-N totaled 16 assists and just 13 turnovers, racking up seven steals and five blocked shots. The Raiders scored 16 second-chance points and 38 in the paint, forcing 18 Duck turnovers.
 
The Newark defense held Stevens to 38.1 percent from the field (24-for-63) and 32.3 percent from three (10-for-31). Stevens was led by 19 points, four rebounds and three steals from guard Kevin Florio, and 11 points and six boards from forward Thomas Cook.
 
Barneys finished with 13 points, four assists, two rebounds and two thefts for Newark, while junior guard Tyler Ofray had 10 points, five helpers, four rebounds and two steals. Loften-Harris ended with four points, seven rebounds and two assists.
 
Rutgers-Newark will battle New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Kean University Wednesday night in The Golden Dome. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. and fans unable to make it to the Brick City for the game can watch live at www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com/watch.