Newark, NJ | The Rutgers University-Newark Scarlet Raiders men's basketball team won their third straight tonight and remained in the top-4 of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings with the 65-53 win over William Paterson in the Golden Dome.

Rutgers University-Newark (13-8, 9-5) had three players score 15+ points tonight with Quincy Rutherford leading the way with 18 as he stayed red-hot from behind the arc, hitting five of his seven attempts from range. Jamir Patterson continues to improve as the season goes on and shot 6-for-11 from the floor which included a monster one-handed baseline jam over a Pioneer defender en route to his 17 points. Chase Barneys added 15 points and five rebounds in the win.

William Paterson University (9-12, 5-9) was swept by the Scarlet Raiders for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Anthony Uribe led the team with 24 points off of the bench while the sharpshooter Sean Smith tallied 11. Henry Vorhees led the Pioneers with 11 rebounds and added two points.

In a battle between two defensive-minded squads, the Scarlet Raiders proved that their defense was tough to crack. The second-ranked defense in Division III held William Paterson to 53 points and 30.5% shooting from the floor. The opening pace of the game was slow-moving as after 10 minutes of play the Scarlet Raiders held an 11-9 lead.

The Pioneers slowly started to gain a head of steam and were able to take the lead with 3:32 remaining in the first with a Smith three-pointer. 

The Scarlet Raiders made the necessary adjustments during the half and in the second flipped the script in seven minutes. Patterson converted a layup to give his team a one-point lead over the Pioneers with 13:49 left in the game. Rutherford hit a three-pointer whenever his team needed a big basket throughout this game and with 10:30 left hit a three that gave his team the lead for good.

A 12-2 run turned a two-point deficit into a 10-point lead for the Scarlet Raiders which allowed them to cruise to yet another victory within the NJAC as they have their sights set on an NJAC Playoff berth.

The Scarlet Raiders will continue that quest on Saturday, February 8 when they host Rutgers University-Camden at 8:00 pm at the Golden Dome.