POMONA, N.J. (January 3, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime at Stockton University tonight in New Jersey Athletic Conference play, 84-77. The Scarlet Raiders fall to 5-7 (1-5 NJAC) while the Ospreys improve to 9-4 (3-3 NJAC).

Rutgers-Newark was led by senior Erick Loften-Harris who poured in a game-high 21 points on 50.0% shooting from the field while adding five rebounds and three steals. A trio of starters joined him in double-digit scoring as junior Tyler Ofray was next with a double-double, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ofray also chipped in with a team-best six helpers. Sophomore Chase Barneys contributed 16 points, seven boards, and four assists while junior Mark Thomas rounded out the double-figure scorers with 13 points and pulled down eight caroms.

The Scarlet Raiders had a huge sequence about halfway through overtime. Late in the shot clock, Ofray drove baseline and converted a tough bucket to knot the score at 73-73. Then, rookie Dante Ralph had a big rejection before Loften-Harris went coast-to-coast to give R-N the lead.

Both teams kept trading clutch plays and with 1:05 remaining it was the home side up 79-77. Unfortunately, Newark could not come up with an answer on the offensive end and Stockton was able to ice the contest at the charity stripe.

In the second half, the Scarlet Raiders looked to be on the ropes as the Ospreys opened up their largest lead of the game, earning a 10-point advantage with 11:52 to play. Still, the visitors fought right back, scoring eight consecutive points, capped by a fast break lay-in from Loften-Harris to bring his team within two at the 9:18 mark.

From there, Rutgers-Newark kept it within one possession and trailed by only three when Ofray hit one-of-two from the line. On the ensuing inbounds, Ofray and Loften-Harris forced a steal and Loften-Harris tied the game at 59-59 with 3:06 on the clock. Following a Stockton basket, Thomas came up with the next huge play, corralling a loose ball and putting it back while drawing contact. He completed the traditional three-point play as R-N went back in front for the first time since the end of the opening stanza.

The sides continued to battle back-and-forth as the Ospreys regained the lead for a brief period but Ofray responded by draining a step-back jumper to make it 64-63 with just 72 seconds to go. After a huge defensive stop, Loften-Harris added to that slim edge with a pair of clutch free throws while senior Dave Lunsford added two more to make it 68-63. However, Stockton rallied and, after a 3-pointer, tied the game on a tip-in with just .8 seconds remaining. A three-quarter court Ofray heave nearly found the bottom of the net but instead the teams headed to an extra period.

The first half saw six early lead changes and a tie but it was the visitors who nearly pulled away. Leading 24-22, the Scarlet Raiders reeled of 10 straight points, capped by a trifecta from Barneys to open up a 12-point advantage. Still, the Ospreys would come right back and go on a 10-0 run of their own to make it 34-32 at the break.

Rutgers-Newark looks to rebound quickly when it continues its NJAC slate on Saturday with a matchup against William Paterson in The Golden Dome at 8 p.m.