New Jersey City University Athletics

 

NEWARK, NJ…Rutgers-Newark scored 16 of the final 19 points over the final 2:39 of regulation to rally from an 11-point second half deficit and defeated New Jersey City University, 77-72, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division contest on Wednesday at the Golden Dome.

 

With the win, Rutgers-Newark (6-0, 2-0 NJAC) remains unbeaten, and wins its second straight in the series against NJCU (4-3, 0-2 NJAC), which drops its third straight game after a 4-0 start. NJCU still leads the all-time series 53-6 including 41-5 during the tenure of 24^th year head coach CHARLES BROWN.

 

Rutgers-Newark, which shot 30-of-36 from the free throw line in the game, including 21-of-26 in the second half, was a perfect 10-of-10 from the line in the final 2:22 of action.

 

For NJCU, senior center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) finished with a double-double and season highs of 17 points (8-of-11 FG), 15 rebounds (11 defensive), and three blocks in 35 minutes. He had nine boards in the second half.

 

Sophomore guard KEVIN TUCKER (Jersey City, NJ/Ferris) returned after missing one game, and also notched a double-double of 16 points (4-15 FG, 3-9 3FG) and 10 rebounds, with three steals.

 

Freshman guard JOSH LOPEZ (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary’s) scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half. For the game, he shot 5-of-9, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, in 18 minutes of reserve action. Newark limited sophomore swingman DANA JOHN (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain East (Pa.)), NJCU’s leading scorer entering the game at 18.8, to just six points and 1-of-9 shooting.

 

For the Raiders, sophomore swingman David Cherry (Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic) had a game and career-high 18 points, with seven rebounds, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line.

 

Sophomore guard Chadd Barnes (Newark, NJ/University), this week’s NJAC Player of the Week, struggled from the field (3-12), but made 8-of-10 from the line for 14 points, to go with four steals.

Freshman guard Deshawn Singleton (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) provided 10 points and nine boards in 15 minutes off the bench, while junior forward Derryck Alexander (Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) chipped in 10 rebounds (nine defensive) for the second straight game. Newark received a 29-19 scoring edge from its bench.

 

In a game which featured 10 lead changes and five ties, two free throws by John gave NJCU its largest lead of the game, 67-56, with 4:09 remaining. NJCU continued to lead by eight, 69-61, with 2:39 remaining after junior guard SHY MARTINEZ (Union City, NJ/Union Hill) slashed down the left baseline for a lay-up.

 

But from there, the Scarlet Raiders unleashed a 12-1 run over 2:26 to take control of the game, and a 16-3 run overall to close the night, highlighted by 12-of-12 free throw shooting during the tear. At 1:59, Barnes drove to the basket, making it 69-65, before an NJCU turnover and transition basket by Alexander shaved NJCU’s lead to 69-67 with 1:21 left. After an NJCU free throw, Alexander hit another jumper with 59.7 seconds left to cut the Gothic Knights’ margin to 70-69.

 

With 27.4 seconds remaining, John was called for his fifth foul, and senior guard Quran Wimberley (Newark, NJ/St. Anthony’s) stepped to the line and made two free throws, to put the Raiders in front, 71-70—Newark’s first lead since 12:23 left in the period. Tucker committed a turnover with 16.0 left and NJCU was forced to foul, and Wimberley, who finished with nine points, added two more free throws, to complete the 12-1 run.

 

Senior point guard ALEX MIRABEL (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson), who finished with seven points (1-8 FG) and three assists, and shot 5-of-6 from the line, made two freebies with 10.4 remaining, cutting the Newark cushion to 73-72. Barnes made a pair of free throws with 7.8 left, and R-N led by three, 75-72. With 1.5 seconds left, Lopez missed a long three, and Barnes added two final freebies for the five-point Newark decision.

 

In the first half, Newark led 34-27, before grasping a 34-32 cushion at the half. That lead expanded to 47-42, before NJCU used a 17-3 spurt to move in front 59-50 at 7:21, as Lopez bombed a straightaway three with one second on the shot clock. Lopez had 11 points during that run, including three threes. A 12-1 segment of the run came with Tucker and John on the bench. Two free throws by Mirabel at 5:40 made it 63-54.

 

Newark shot 39.3 percent overall (22-56) and just 18.8 percent from three-point range. NJCU made 32.4 percent (23-71) and nine threes (9-26, 34.6%). There were a combined 53 fouls called in the game—30 on the Knights.

 

NJCU will return to action on Saturday, December 9 at 8 p.m. when it hosts Kean University in an NJAC inter-divisional game at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.