NEWARK, N.J. (1/26/22) – Jailen Jamison totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists as a late run vaulted Rutgers-Newark to a 58-54 victory over the Kean University men's basketball team on Wednesday evening.

Quincy Rutherford finished with 17 points and seven rebounds for the Scarlet Raiders who improve to 12-6 overall and 9-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Nate Lyles tallied 12 points and nine rebounds for the Cougars who fall to 10-7 overall and 5-7 in the NJAC.

The Cougars opened the contest on a 17-9 run over the first 12 minutes. Letrell West and Lyles combined for 11 points during the run. Newark answered with a 15-9 run to even the contest at 24-24 with 2:39 remaining. The Scarlet Raiders attempted to take the lead at halftime after Jamir Patterson made two free-throws, but Jamison connected on a driving layup with one second remaining for a 29-29 tie at intermission.

In the second half, neither side held larger than a five-point advantage. Kean took a 50-46 lead with 4:57 to play after back-to-back jumpers from Jamison and Patrick Strzala. The Scarlet Raiders would close the contest on a 12-6 run that included connecting on five free throws. The Cougars had a chance to tie the game with eight seconds remaining, but Jamison's shot was blocked by Patterson.

West finished with 10 points and five rebounds, while Strzala totaled nine points and three rebounds.

Head Coach David Turco and the Cougars will return to action in Mahwah, N.J. on Saturday, Jan. 29^th, against the Roadrunners of Ramapo College at 3:00 p.m.