MAHWAH, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Four-time New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) scored 19 of his career-high 24 points in the first half to stake New Jersey City University to a seven-point halftime margin before the Knights shot 23.5 percent in the second half, allowing nationally #12 ranked Ramapo College the breathing room necessary to rally for a 60-54 victory in a NJAC men's basketball game on January 16 at the Bill Bradley Center.
NJCU (7-10, 2-8 NJAC) had its three-game winning streak snapped as it shot below 30 percent for the fifth time this season, shooting 28.4 percent overall (19-67). NJCU, facing a nationally-ranked opponent for the third time this season, fell to 1-2 in those games. Ramapo, ranked #12 nationally in the latest D3hoops.com national poll, improved to 15-2 overall and 9-1 in the league.
The 60 points were tied for second fewest scoring this season by a Ramapo team that had been averaging 79.2 points per game this year and ranked 38th nationally in scoring offense. Ramapo was held to its second lowest field goal percentage of the season, shooing 36.2 percent (17-47) and it's 15.4 percent three-point shooting was a season low (2-13)
Muhammad scored 19 of NJCU's 31 first-half points and reached the 20-point threshold for the second time in his career as he notched a game-best 24 points on 8-of-22 shooting (2-6 3FG; 6-8 FT) with eight rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes. It was his 12th double-figure effort of the season.
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