UNION, N.J. (12/11/21) – Patrick Strzala nailed a buzzer-beater as time expired to lift the Kean University men's basketball team to a 77-74 victory over Ramapo College on Saturday afternoon.

Strzala finished with 15 points and knocked down four triples for the Cougars who improve to 7-3 overall and 2-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Shane Rooney and Marquise Kindel both tallied 14 points and six rebounds for the Roadrunners who fall to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the NJAC.

The first half was a back and forth affair with neither side holding more than a five-point lead. Letrell West scored 11 of his 27 points, while Strzala totaled six as the Cougars maintained a one-point lead at halftime.

Kean opened the second half with a 15-8 run to take their largest lead of the game. West scored 11 points during the 4:57 run that propelled the Cougars in front at 51-40 with 15:15 remaining.

Ramapo would erase Kean's double-digit lead with an 11-4 run that tied the contest at 60-60.

After trading buckets, Kean pushed their lead back to 74-67 with just over two minutes to play. The Roadrunners answered one more time with a 7-2 run that evened the game at 74-74 with nine seconds remaining.

On the final possession, West took the ball up the floor and dribbled into the far corner. The junior kicked it out to his classmate, who nailed a fade-away triple for the victory.

Jailen Jamison totaled 12 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Terrence Durham and JD Daniels each totaled seven points apiece.

Head Coach David Turco and the Cougars will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 14^th, in Immaculata, Pa. against the Mighty Macs of Immaculata University at 8:00 p.m.