MONTCLAIR. N.J. – Sophomore forward Thomas Bonacum (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) scored 20 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lead Ramapo College to an 81-64 victory over Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest Saturday afternoon at the Panzer Athletic Center.

Bonacum, who shot 9-of-13 from the field, including a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range, got some help 3from sophomore forward Christopher Moseley (Edison, NJ/Cardinal McCarick) and senior forward Frank Nock (Bridgeton, NJ/Bridgeton), who contributed 19 and 10 points, respectively.

Ramapo, which won its second straight game and six of its last eight, improved its record to 13-7 on the season and 9-4 in the NJAC. It was also the fourth straight win for the Roadrunners against MSU, who still hold the lead in  all-time series, 46-41.

Montclair State, which lost its second straight game in dropping  to 9-10 overall and 5-7 in conference play, got off to a slow start. The Red Hawks missed their first eight shots as Ramapo jumped out to a 5-0 start in the game's first two and half minutes.  MSU finally got on track, posting a 19-6 run to take a 19-11 advantage at the midway point of the half. Montclair State, which maintained its lead thru out the period, also held its largest margin of the contest at 31-23 with 2:19 to play before heading into the intermission, up 31-27.

Ramapo used some hot shooting and pressure defense to get back into the game in the second half. Trailing 45-43 with 14:45 remaining, the Roadrunners went on a 26-8 run, including three 3-pointers from Bonacum, to take a commanding 68-53 lead with 7:24 to play.  Ramapo, which shot 25.6 percent from the field in the first half, made 18-of-25 shots  (72  percent)  in the second half, including 9-of-11 in the spurt.

Montclair State, which never got closer than 10 points on two occasions down the stretch, was led by reserve junior guard Shaun Russell (Brooklyn, NY/Willingboro (NJ)), who scored a team-high 19 points,  including 13 in the second half. Junior forward Brandon Channer (Manchesterm Jamaica (Strawbrry Crest (FL)) added 16 points and junior center Jaleel Christmon (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) turned in a double-double performance with with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Montclair State and Ramapo continue NJAC play as the Red Hawks travel to play The College of New Jersey on Monday night (2/1) while Roadrunners host New Jersey City on Wednesday (2/3) .