CAMDEN, N.J. (2/8/23) – Griffin Barker totaled 23 points and eight rebounds as the Kean University men's basketball team secures a spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament with a 86-65 victory over Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday evening.

Letrell West tallied 17 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Cougars who improve to 17-6 overall and 10-6 in the NJAC. Eric Benjamin scored 17 points for the Scarlet Raptors who fall to 4-19 overall and 2-14 in the NJAC.

First Half

• Kean led 39-28 at halftime.
• The Cougars shot 60.0% from the floor and were perfect from the free-throw line.
• Camden shot 44.0% from the floor and 40.0% from downtown.
• Benjamin scored 11 points as the Scarlet Raptors opened on a 20-6 run for their largest lead of the game.
• Kean answered with a 33-11 run to close out the half, including a combined 16 points from West and Barker
• Barker and West both tallied 10 points apiece.
• Benjamin posted 13 points at the break for Camden.

Second Half

• Kean outscored Rutgers-Camden 47-37.
• The Cougars shot 64.3% from the floor.
• The Scarlet Raptors posted a 45.2% from the floor.
• Kean increased their halftime lead to the largest of the game at 61-40 with a 23-12 run to open the half.
• The Cougars coasted for the remainder of the contest with a double-digit advantage.

Box Score Notables

• JD Daniels totaled 12 points.
• Heem Burno notched nine points, six assists and five steals.
• D.J. Alicea and Corey Thelisme both collected eight points apiece.

Head Coach David Turco and the Cougars will return to action in Montclair, N.J. on Saturday, Feb. 11^th, against the Red Hawks of Montclair State University at 1:00 p.m.