Boxscore

Galloway, NJ - Stockton University (21-5), ranked #21 nationally by D3hoops.com, used a blistering second-half surge to advance to the NJAC finals with a 70-54 victory over Rutgers Newark (18-9) on Tuesday night. The Ospreys rebounded by exploding for 49 points and shooting 92.9% (26-28) from the line in the second half to pick up the win. NJAC Player of the Year Josh Blamon (Cinnaminson/Cinnaminson) led the way, scoring 26 points with 23 of them coming in the final stanza.
 
The Ospreys started slowly, falling behind as many as 14 points at 27-13 as they could not find the basket and went the last 11:32 without field goal. Stockton shot just 22.2% (6-27) from the field but managed to stay close by holding the Scarlet Raiders without a point for the final 7:18 of the period. Stockton scored eight points at the line to keep the deficit to six at 27-21 at the break.
 
The second half was a different story as the Ospreys came out of the locker room on a tear. An 11-4 run gave the Ospreys their first lead since early in the game at 7-5. Carlton Whitehead (Ewing/Life Center) scored the go-ahead bucket on a layup (32-31) and Marcus Harmon (Whitesboro/Middle Twp.) tallied seven markers during the outburst.
 
Stockton wasn't done putting the pressure on as they increased their lead to 52-37 with 7:58 remaining behind Blamon, who scored 12 points during a 20-6 spurt. The Ospreys later sealed the contest by hitting 15 consecutive free throws in the last 3:37. Blamon accounted for nine followed by Whitehead with four and Harmon with two.
 
Blamon led all scorers with 26 points, including 17-19 at the charity stripe, while Whitehead tallied a career high of 12 markers and dished three assists. Harmon added 11 points and team highs of seven boards and two blocks. Onnir Kendall (Williamstown/Williamstown) also had three assists with Tom Catanoso (Cape May CH/Middle Twp.) pilfering three steals to lead all players.  
 
For Rutgers-Newark, Christian Garcia and Jordan McDaniel each scored 16 points, with Elvis Hodzic grabbing seven rebounds. Doze Ikwuegbu dished a game-high four assists. 

Stockton will host William Paterson in the NJAC championship game on Friday at 7 pm. The Ospreys and Pioneers will meet in the league title game for the third time in the last four years. Stockton won 65-44 last season and William Paterson prevailed 67-63 in 2012. The Ospreys will be seeking their second straight NJAC championship and eighth overall.