Box Score
MAHWAH, NJ - The Ramapo College men's basketball team came from behind to defeat Rowan University, 76-74 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Saturday night.
Ramapo (18-8), the second seed from the North Division, advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, September 22 at the top seed from the South Division Richard Stockton College (18-7). Rowan finished the season with a 12-14 record.
In the other semifinal game, the second seed from the South Division, Kean University (7-19) travels to the top seed from the North Division William Paterson University (22-3). In the other first round game on Saturday, Kean topped the third seed from the North Division Rutgers-Newark (14-12), 55-53. Richard Stockton and William Paterson received byes in the first round. The championship is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at the highest remaining seed. The conference champion earns an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
The Roadrunners were led by guard Will Sanborn (jr. Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Reg.) with 23 points and six rebounds. Guard Garret Thiel (jr. Middletown, NJ/Middletown S.) registered 19 points and eight boards. Forward Stephon Treadwell (jr. Newark, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) totaled 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Guard Jermaine Emanuel (jr. Englewood, NJ/Laney) collected 12 points, six boards and six assists. Forward Demetrius Boards (sr. Jersey City, NJ/Marist) chipped in with eight points.
For the Profs, guard Matt Whitworth (so. Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) scored a season best 15 points off the bench. Guard Kendall White (jr. Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) compiled 15 points and five rebounds. Center Dee Benson (so. Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) contributed with 13 points, while guard Rich McNamara (so. Southampton, NJ/Seneca) had 12. Benson also pulled down a team-high 12 boards. Guard Phil Jackson (so. Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) added nine points, while guard Jason Rosenberg (so. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) dished six assists.
Rowan was ahead by eight (67-59) with 4:52 remaining in the second period. Ramapo had the next seven points to pull within one (67-66) with 2:51 left. Thiel recorded a three point play, while Treadwell and Boards each hit a jumper. Emanuel's basket with 2:24 on the clock gave the Roadrunners a one point advantage (68-67). White put the Profs back on top (69-68) with two foul shots (2:06).
Thiel hit a jump shot at 1:54 for a one point lead (70-69). White and Boards exchanged baskets at 1:23 and 1:04 respectively. Rowan pulled ahead, 74-72 after Rosenberg had a jumper and a free throw with 52 seconds remaining. Sanburn's free throw (:40) cut the deficit to one (74-73). His basket at the 26 second mark put Ramapo up, 75-74. Emanuel converted one of two free throws with one second left to seal the victory.
Rowan had a 40-34 halftime lead. Jackson's jumper at 17:50 in the second stanza made the score, 44-38. Sanborn's three-pointer (17:36) brought Ramapo within three (44-41). He hit another three at 16:01 to cut the deficit to one (47-46). The Profs were up, 49-47 at 15:06. McNamara nailed a three-pointer (14:46) and Benson had a basket (13:56) to go ahead, 54-47.
The Roadrunners trailed by one (54-53) after a jump shot by Sanburn (10:39). Rowan went on an 8-2 run for a seven point lead (62-55) at 8:41. Benson and Whitworth each tallied three points, while White had two. Whitworth hit a three-pointer at 6:49 to extend the advantage to eight (65-57).
There were four ties in the first period. The fourth one (28-28) came at 6:05 following two foul shots by Treadwell. Rowan recorded the next five points to go up, 33-28 with 4:17 left. Forward Jason Sofman (so. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) made two free throws (5:03) and White had a three-pointer (4:17). McNamara's jumper at 1:40 put the Profs on top, 40-32. The score was 40-34 at the intermission after a basket by Treadwell with 1:05 remaining.
