BoxscoreGalloway, NJ – Stockton University (6-2, 4-1 NJAC) shot a blistering 55.2% (16-29) in the second half and pulled away for a 70-50 victory over Rutgers Newark (7-3, 3-2 NJAC) on Saturday afternoon.
Darius Jerkins (Somers Point/Mainland) led the four Ospreys in double figures with career highs of 15 points and nine rebounds.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with neither offense able to gain momentum. Rutgers-Newark held an 11-10 lead with 12:38 left in the period before Jerkins scored on a three-point play to give Stockton the lead for good at 11:47. Stockton stretched the lead to as many as eight points before settling for a 26-22 advantage at the break. Jerkins scored 10 first-half points but the Scarlet Raiders kept the contest close on 10-13 shooting at the free throw line.
The second half was all Stockton, as they started the stanza with a game-clinching 20-4 run.
Tom Catanoso (Cape May CH/Middle Twp.) and
Jaymere Hadden (Millville/Millville) tallied five points each during the spurt, giving the Ospreys a commanding 46-26 lead. The advantage peaked at 26 points on a
Maurice Hart (Asbury Park/Asbury Park) dunk that made it 69-43 with 4:45 left to play. Both squads cleared their benches from there and Stockton came away with the 70-50 victory.
In addition to Jerkins, who shot a perfect 6-6 from the field and 3-4 from the line, Hart added 14 markers. Hadden and
Armin Cane (Pleasantville/Pleasantville) chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively. Cane also blocked a game-high three shots. Catanoso scored seven points and added three assists and a game-high three steals.
Jordan McDaniel scored 14 points as the only player in double figures for Rutgers Newark. John Snow grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for the Scarlet Raiders.
Stockton will have some time off until they play Gettysburg at the Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic, hosted by Hood College, on December 19 at 6 p.m.
