NEWARK, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University led by 12 at halftime, but could not hold off Rutgers-Newark in the second half and suffered a costly New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division defeat to the rival Scarlet Raiders, falling 73-69 on Wednesday night at The Golden Dome Arena.
After starting the season with a 9-1 record and 12 wins in its first 14 games, NJCU lost for the third time in its last five outings and dropped to 14-5 overall and 4-4 in the NJAC. Meanwhile, Rutgers-Newark improved to 12-7 overall and 5-3 in the league.
Coupled with Ramapo College's 64-63, final seconds win at Montclair State University, NJCU fell into last place in the NJAC North Division with five games—all league games—remaining on the docket. Montclair, Ramapo and Rutgers-Newark are now all tied for second place at 5-3—one game ahead of NJCU and two behind first-place William Paterson University (7-1). NJCU will play each of the NJAC North Division teams one more time. The top three teams in the NJAC North and top three in the NJAC South division earn a trip to the NJAC Tournament under the current two-divisional format.
NJCU, which leads the all-time series, 58-12, received a career-high 20 points (4-7 FG), including 11-of-14 free throw shooting from junior swingman Walik Albright (Jersey City, NJ/Create Charter). He added three blocks and two steals in 37 minutes.