CAMDEN, N.J. (2/12/11) – Sophomore Branly Cadet hit a game-tying three-pointer in regulation and rookie Andrew Kirey gave the Kean University men's basketball team the lead for good in overtime, as the Cougars recorded a key 65-61 win over host Rutgers-Camden in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Jonathan Jones recorded his 23rd double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (17-7, 9-3 NJAC).
For Rutgers-Camden (6-17, 4-9 NJAC), Woody Redding had a team-high 16 points.
After the Cougars led by as many as six points midway through the first half, the Scarlet Raptors closed the first half with 12 unanswered points to take a 30-22 lead at the break.
Jones had eight points and five rebounds in the first half for the Cougars, while Redding led Camden with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor.
The Scarlet Raptors would open the second half with the first five points and would push the advantage out to double-digits early in the half. Camden would hold a double-digit lead for more than five minutes, leading by as many as 14 points on three occasions, before the Cougars mounted a 17-2 run to take a 47-46 lead on a lay-up by sophomore Diego Gutierrez with 5:42 remaining.
Rutgers-Camden regained the lead for the remainder of regulation until Cadet tied the game at 54-54 with 35 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Redding opened the scoring in overtime with a three-pointer and Jones tied the game back up on Kean's next possession with a three-point play.
After Rutgers-Camden took a two-point lead on a pair of free throws byAlex Rislin, Kirey gave the Cougars the lead for good at 62-61 with a three-pointer with 1:46 remaining and Cadet sealed the Cougar victory with a free thrown and jumper to close out the scoring.
Jones, who played all but one minute in the win, hit 6-of-8 from the floor and 8-of-11 from the foul line, as he also added a pair of blocks. Cadet was the only other Cougar in double-figures, scoring all 14 of his points in the second half and overtime.
Redding was the lone Scarlet Raptor in double-figures, while Kevin Brown finished with nine points.
Kean closes out the regular season at Richard Stockton College on Wednesday, February 16. A win would give the Cougars the top seed in the NJAC South Division and a first-round bye in the upcoming NJAC playoffs.