MAHWAH, N.J. | Chase Barneys scored a game-high 18 points as the Scarlet Raiders men's basketball team fends off Ramapo College in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), 61-58. 

Rutgers University-Newark (4-1, 1-0) picked up 12 points from BJ Honis while Quincy Rutherford added 10 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds. Rutherford also dished out four assists which led the squad.

As a team, the Scarlet Raiders shot 39% from the field (18-for-46), 37% from three-point range (6-for-16), and a red-hot 90% from the free-throw line (19-for-21).

Ramapo College (3-2, 0-1) was led by Jason Battle and Rob McWilliams with 12 points each while McWilliams also led the team with eight rebounds. 

The Scarlet Raiders locked the Roadrunners down in the first half, holding them to just 18 points on 27% shooting from the floor.  After Ramapo cut the lead down to one, Rutgers University-Newark went on a 10-0 run to blow the game open and take an 11-point lead. The run was capped by a three-point basket by Barneys. 

Ramapo was able to bring their deficit back down to single digits with 4:13 remaining in the first half, however, David Logan pulled up and found the bottom of the net with a mid-range jumper to give the Scarlet Raiders an 11 point lead. The Scarlet Raiders extended their lead to 16 as the Roadrunners struggled to find their offense. Dante Ralph converted an easy layup on a pass from Jamir Patterson with just 25 seconds until halftime. 

Jason Battle of Ramapo College hit a pair of free-throws to send his squad into the half down 14.

In a game of two halves, the Roadrunners found their offense in the second half and exploded for 40 points. Thanks to their large first-half lead, the Scarlet Raiders' 29 points in the second have was enough to keep them in front. 

After being held below 28% shooting in the first half, Ramapo converted 46% of their shots in the second half while the Scarlet Raiders with 31% of theirs. 

Once again Ramapo was able to cut the lead down to single digits but Rutherford hit a pair from the free-throw line then followed that up with a jumper to push their lead to 11. 

With 4:44 Rutgers University-Newark held a 13-point lead but Ramapo refused to be embarrassed on their home court. The Scarlet Raiders' offense hit a cold streak down the stretch and were scoreless for three minutes. 

Their 13-point lead shrunk to just four points with 15 seconds remaining, however, Patterson hit a pair of clutch free-throws to keep the Roadrunners at bay and secure their first NJAC win of the season.

Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is a home game against Stevens on Sunday, December 1 at 2:00 pm.