GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. | The Scarlet Raiders erased a 13-point deficit in the second half against Westminster in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Quarterfinals to advance to the semifinal with a 63-61 win. 

Rutgers University-Newark (17-12) shot 31.6% from the floor and were led by Jamir Patterson's 15 points. Patterson built off of his career-high from Wednesday night to lead the Scarlet Raiders while Chase Barneys and Quincy Rutherford added 15 and 14, respectively. Rutherford and Barneys paced the team with seven boards each as they were able to edge out Westminster in the rebound category, 40-38.

Westminster (16-12) was led by Isaac Stamatiades as he recorded a 19-point, 14-rebound outing. Preston Stitt was the floor general for Westminster and dished out four assists. As a team, Westminster shot 37.9% from the floor and 38.1% from three-point range. 

The Scarlet Raiders were the aggressors early on and jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead before Westminster rallied back to knot the game up at 16. As the first half began to come to an end, Westminster turned the tables and took the lead, 24-20. Rutgers-Newark closed the gap and tied it up with four seconds left off of a Rutherford jumper. 

For the first 11 minutes of the second half, the Scarlet Raiders struggled to get their offense in gear as Westminster collected points by the bundle to jump out to a 13-point lead. Through the final 9 minutes, the Scarlet Raiders chipped away at the lead as their defense began to pile up stops. With 1:10 remaining on the clock, Rutherford drove to the hoop and found the bottom of the net to tie the game up at 59. 

Stitt came down the floor and missed a shot from distance and was corralled by David Logan. Logan was instantly fouled, sending him to the free-throw line where he would cash in on both attempts from the charity stripe to give his team the lead for the first time since they led 30-29 with 16:28 left in the game. 

Westminster would head to the line shortly after and once again leveled the game at 61. With the game tied, Barneys took a three with four seconds left which didn't find its mark, however, Patterson came down with the rebound and was fouled to send him to the line with one second remaining. Patterson, a 74% free-throw shooter on the year, hit both attempts which would prove to be all they would need to complete the comeback win. Westminster had a good look with one second left but wasn't able to get their shot to fall.

The Scarlet Raiders return to the hardwood on Saturday for the ECAC semifinal against the winner of Hood and Drew.