MAHWAH, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Ramapo College shot a nearly unprecedented 45-of-55 from the foul line (81.8 percent)—just eight free throws shy of the NCAA Division III record for a single game—as the Roadrunners led 43-24 at halftime and defeated New Jersey City University, 84-70, in New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball action on December 10 at the Bradley Center.
Ramapo (6-2, 3-2 NJAC) won its fourth in a row, as the Roadrunners made 21-of-26 from the stripe in the first half (.808) and 24-of-29 (.828) in the second period. NJCU (2-6, 1-4 NJAC) lost its fourth straight as the Gothic Knights were whistled for 38 fouls versus 16 for RCNJ.
Ramapo's free throws were the most by an opponent in a regulation game on record in school history—made or attempted. The NCAA record was set January 16, 1988 when UC San Diego shot 53-of-59 against Menlo.
On December 30, 2006, Hampden-Sydney College was 45-56 (.804) from the line against NJCU in a historic 120-113 double-overtime decision in Virginia.
In defeat, senior small forward Neville Joseph (Newark, NJ/West Side) registered his second straight double-double, finishing with a game-high and career-best 16 rebounds (10 defensive) while adding 15 points in 34 minutes before becoming one of two NJCU players to foul out.
Junior shooting guard Khalid Muhammad (Orange, NJ/Orange) scored 15 for the Knights with three assists. Senior point guard Jourdan Roberson (Brooklyn, NY/University (Newark)) came off the bench to score nine of his season-high 12 points in the first half; he was 4-of-9 from three-point range in the game and made half of NJCU's eight converted threes.
NJCU attempted 37 three pointers in the game (8-37, .216) and outside of Roberson, the rest of the team made just 4-of-28. The Knights shot 23.1 percent from the field in the first half (9-39) before sinking 19 attempts in the second half to finish at 35 percent for the game (28-80).
RCNJ placed three men in double figures, led by Ve'Shawn Polite with a game-high 19 points (4-9 FG), highlighted by 11-of-14 foul shooting and eight rebounds. Christopher Moseley added 18 points (6-12 FG) and eight caroms while Josh Ford was a perfect 7-for-7 from the line (3-4 FG) to collect 13 points in 20 reserve minutes.
Thomas Bonacum grabbed 12 rebounds for the hosts (10 defensive). Nick Stanek scored all nine of his points from the line (9-10 FT) in 11 reserve minutes.
Team Stat Comparison |
| NJCU | RAMAPO |
Score | 70 | 84 |
Half Time Score | 24 | 43 |
Field Goal Percentage | .350 (28-80) | .373 (19-51) |
Three-Point Percentage | .216 (8-37) | .143 (1-7) |
Free Throw Percentage | .429 (6-14) | .818 (45*-55)
Opponent record |
Rebounds (O-D-T) | 17-23-40 | 15-40-55 |
Assists | 12 | 11 |
Turnovers | 13 | 19 |
Blocks | 5 | 3 |
Steals | 9 | 3 |
Fouls | 38 | 16 |
Largest Lead | None | 20 |
Points in the Paint | 2 | 4 |
Points off Turnovers | 21 | 12 |
Second Chance Points | 13 | 15 |
Fast Break Points | Not Tracked | by Ramapo |
Bench Points | 34 | 32 |
NJCU made nine more field goals than Ramapo in the loss (28 vs. 19); RCNJ was 19-of-51 from the field in the game (.373) and 1-of-7 from three-point distance (.143) but scored nearly 54 percent of its points from the foul line.
NJCU never led as Ramapo scored the first five points, and opened a 17-8 lead midway through the period. NJCU drew within six, 27-21, with 5:06 to play in the first half, before the Roadrunners strung together a 16-3 run to close the half, and led by 19 at the break. RCNJ's largest lead was 46-26 two minutes into the second half. NJCU wasn't able to get closer than nine (53-44) the remainder of the contest.
OF NOTE:
85th meeting. NJCU leads the all-time series, 63-22
The previous opponent season high for free throws made and attempted was Bridgewater State (November 15), which shot 32-of-46. NJCU was called for 35 fouls in that contest.
In the 2006-07 NJCU/Hampden-Sydney game, there were 37 combined fouls (35-32 vs NJCU) and NJCU shot 40 free throws (24-40) for 96 total between the clubs.
On November 19, 1993, John Jay was awarded 50 free throws (29-50). NJCU shot 26-of-44 from the line for 94 attempts between the clubs against 64 fouls (34-30 vs. NJCU).
Neville Joseph's previous double-double was December 6 vs. Rowan when he had a then-career high 10 rebounds and a career-best 16 points. Joseph has scored in double figures in five of six games in his only season at NJCU.
Khalid Muhammad has 842 career points. He scored in double figures for the 48th time in 63 career games.
Jourdan Roberson reached double figures in scoring for the 13th time in two seasons at NJCU but the first time in 2014-15.
Freshman point guard Shaquan Worthy made his first collegiate start in the game. He played seven minutes.
WHAT'S NEXT?
On Saturday, December 13, NJCU closes the 2014 portion of its schedule with its toughest test to date, heading to New Haven, Conn. for a 3 p.m. matchup with No. 13 ranked Albertus Magnus College. The Falcons won the first-ever meeting between the clubs in Jersey City, 77-63, on December 1, 2013. Albertus, the D3hoops.com Preseason No. 8 ranked team, went 28-3 last year when it captured its third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title and advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. AMC will enter the game at 6-1 overall—it's only loss an 84-75 decision on November 16 at NJCU's conference rival Richard Stockton College, now ranked seventh nationally.
Albertus Magnus owns the longest home court winning streak at all levels of NCAA men's basketball (Division I, II or III), having won 44 straight at the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center. Its last home court loss was a 95-93 setback to Medgar Evers College on December 6, 2011.
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