JERSEY CITY, NJ…Sophomore center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) returned after missing three games with the flu and notched his second double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds, in leading New Jersey City University to a 76-59 non-conference victory over Rutgers University-Camden, at the John J. Moore Athletic and Fitness Center.
NJCU (9-6) has won five of seven since the break, and posted its second victory over Rutgers-Camden (2-13) in eight days. NJCU, which improves to 44-4 all-time and 43-2 under head coach Charles Brown against Camden, and have won 34-of-35 against the Scarlet Raptors, also defeated its South Jersey opponent, 103-67, on January 4 in the Christopher Newport University Tournament.
In defeat for RC, senior guard TYRONE RUCKER (Pennsauken, NJ) amassed 28 points (8-18 FG, 5-13 3 FG), including five three pointers, and was 7-of-9 at the line. He added five steals with five turnovers in 38 minutes.
Williams had 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting for NJCU, thanks in part to his play on the offensive glass, where eight of his 10 rebounds came. NJCU outscored RC, 18-10 on second chance points.
Junior swingman
MARK WASHINGTON (East Orange, NJ/West Side), who entered the game leading the team with 20.2 points per game, had a near triple-double with 14 points (5-12), nine rebounds (five offensive), and seven assists, and added three steals in 30 minutes. He was held to only three points
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MARK WASHINGTON" src="/images/mbasket/2005/1/12/01-21-2004%20Mark%20Washington%2025.JPG" width=150 align=left border=0>on six shots late in the second half, but went on a tear where he scored 11 consecutive points for NJCU.
Sophomore center DEVIN DAVIS (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Regional) had 10 points (5-6) and three blocks in 15 minutes, while not starting for the first time this year. Senior forward CHRISTOPHER KATES (Metuchen, NJ/Metuchen) had nine, while senior guard JAVIER RODRIGUEZ (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) contributed six points and four assists.
Also for RC in defeat, sophomore forward DANE NICHOLSON (Pleasantville, NJ) had 10 points (4-12), six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a full 40 minutes. Junior forward JOSH KENNEDY (Westmont, NJ/Haddon Township), who did not play against NJCU on January 4, also had 10 points (5-15) and six rebounds (five offensive).
Camden led for much of the early first half, until NJCU regained the lead, went up by six on a Davis jumper, and owned a slim, 30-29 margin at the half.
However, NJCU, which shot .487 (19-39) in the second half after only hitting on .343 of its first half attempts (12-35), opened the second period on an 11-2 run to pull in front by 10, 41-31, at 14:50. Rodriguez had five points, and Williams added four during the spurt. Camden briefly pulled within six, before NJCU’s advantage once again increased to double figures. The Knights’ largest lead was 19 with 2:28 left.
Camden had two more giveaways than NJCU (26-24), but the Knights took advantage of their chances with a 27-10 edge in points off turnovers. NJCU also held a 34-12 difference in bench scoring. NJCU shot .419 overall (31-74), but just .222 from three-point range (6-27). NJCU out-rebounded Camden, 50-36. The Raptors shot .344 overall (22-64).
NJCU, which was playing its first home game since December 4, following an eight-game road trip, return to action on Wednesday, January 19 at 8pm against SUNY-Purchase, in the second of three straight home games. There is a chance the game time will be moved up due to the cancellation of the women’s game that day. Camden’s next game is Saturday, January 15 at Kean University.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
