Here is a slideshow of photos from the action in Rutgers-Newark’s victory over Kean in an early season NJAC clash at Harwood Arena in Union Township.
GMC Hoops traveled out to Kean University’s Harwood Arena to take in an NJAC match-up between the KU Cougars and the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark.
Five players from the Greater Middlesex Conference were on the rosters from these two teams in this game. Kean had East Brunswick’s Mike Summerer and Jodrell Thompson, which started and saw a lot of action in the game. Rutgers-Newark had East Brunswick’s Mike Vick, Colonia’s Chase Barneys, and Old Bridge’s Stephen Strom.
In a hard-fought, low scoring, defensive battle, Kean jumped out to a 6-0 lead over the first three plus minutes of the contest. Rutgers-Newark responded with a 24-11 surge over the next 13:07 to take a 24-17 lead with under four minutes to go in the half.
Rutgers-Newark maintained a six point lead going into the intermission, but Kean rallied to tie the score at 43-43 on a three pointer from Keenan Williams, Jr with 1:24 to play. The Scarlet Raiders would take the lead for good with two free throws at the 57 second mark, and then a score underneath with 26.2 seconds to play.
Kean didn’t give up though as the Cougars got two free throws by Mike Summerer with 16.8 seconds left to close the gap to 47-45. After a missed free throw by Rutgers-Newark, Kean had a chance to tie, but missed a shot with time running out as the Scarlet Raiders hung on for a 47-45 win.
Thompson led Kean in defeat with 11 points while Summerer chipped in with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Summerer scored all 10 of his points in the 2nd half. Vick scored 6 points in two threes for Rutgers-Newark. Barneys also saw action for the Scarlet Raiders. Tyler Ofray led R-Newark with 14 points while Nadir Alston had a double-double of 11 points and 14 boards for the visitors.