Newark, NJ: The Ramapo College men's basketball team defeated NJAC rival Rutgers-Newark, 80-74 to remain undefeated in NJAC play. The Roadrunners now stand at 13-3, 4-0 while the Scarlet Raiders drop to 13-3, 3-2 in the conference.

The Roadrunners took a 7-4 lead with 15:37 on the clock on a layup by Ahmad Hassan and the team never looked back taking a 39-28 halftime lead. The Roadrunners biggest lead of the half came with just six seconds remaining as Anthony LoRusso sunk both foul shots to go up 11, 39-28.

Ramapo shot 48% in the first half, 13-27 and 92% from the foul line, 12-13. Hassan led the team with ten points while Elgin Brown tallied eight points and three rebounds. Demetrius Boards, Hassan and Stephon Treadwell each posted a team high six rebounds.

In the second half, the Roadrunners took a 12 point lead, 40-28 in the opening minute before the Scarlet Raiders hit three straight shots to come with in six, 40-34 with 18:11 capped off on a made basket by Pedro Burgos. The Scarlet Raiders cut the lead to four with 12:05 on the clock on a three pointer by Burgos. Ramapo responded with back to back baskets by Treadwell before Burgos hit another three pointer to come within five, 55-50 with 8:58 in the game.

The Roadrunners stretched the lead back to 11 on a made three pointer by Hassan with 4:16 remaining in the game. Cruz hit a big three point basket with 51 seconds remaining as the shot clock was winding down to take a ten point lead before Burgos yet again hit a three point goal to come within seven with 42 seconds left in the game. Ramapo made five free throws, four in a row by Hassan, 76-67 with 25 seconds on the clock, Burgos hit another three pointer with 17 seconds on the clock and Al'Don Muhammad made both free throws to cut the lead to five with 12 seconds left in the game. LoRusso made both of his free throws, 78-71 before Burgos hit his final three pointer of the game with six seconds to go to come within four, 78-74. Hassan tallied the final two free throws of the game, 80-74 for the final score.

Hassan led the Roadrunners with 23 points in the game as he shot 6-11 from the field, 2-4 from behind the three point line and a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe. Brown tallied a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards while Treadwell posted a team high 13 rebounds and 12 points. LoRusso added 11 points, also a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.

The Roadrunners shot 46% from the field in the game and 76% from the foul line. They out rebounded the Scarlet Raiders, 53-27 in the game.

Ramapo returns to action on Saturday when they travel to NJAC rival Rutgers-Camden for a 3:00 pm game.