Late Game Heroics by Ford Help Ramapo College Edge NJCU in OT Win

Limited to 21 minutes of playing time and eight points against New Jersey City University(12-3, 6-2 NJAC) at the Bradley Center on Saturday afternoon, Ramapo College senior guard Josh Ford saved his best for last. With 32.4 seconds remaining in over time and game tied at 81, Ford sunk a pair of free throws putting the Roadrunners in front.

However, former teammate Lavrone Green(17 points) buried a corner trifecta as New Jersey City University regained the lead with eight seconds left. With time winding down, Ford went coast to coast for a lay-up off the glass with 1.7 seconds remaining. One last attempt for the Gothic Knights to win the game ended in futility as a long heave from inbound play landed in the hands of Thomas Bonacum (16 points) as the Roadrunners pulled off a thrilling victory and re-match of last year’s NJAC Conference Tournament Championship Final. Christopher Moseley and Patrick Peterson each scored a game-high 18 points apiece.

“At no point when we got down we handled the adversity very well and took care of the basketball with only ten turnovers,” said head coach Chuck McBreen. “They’re a great team, we got lucky today and found a way and that’s what great teams’ do.”

“Jimbo(Long) got hurt unfortunately and Coach(McBreen) came back to me with confidence because I wasn’t really doing well so he picked me back up…It’s not how you start the game but finish,” said Ford on his game-winning layup.

In the second half, the Roadrunners were unable to stop a dominant performance by NJCU forward Sam Toney, scoring 23 of his game-high 42 points. Toney shot the lights out from beyond the arc, draining 7 of 11 while going a perfect 7 of 7 from the charity stripe. Down 52-46 with 12 minutes remaining, Ramapo sophomore guard Patrick Peterson took over scoring five quick points that sparked a 7-0 run as the Roadrunners went ahead with less than 11 minutes left.

The Gothic Knights answered back with a 7-0 run of their own as the momentum swung back and forth. Peterson put back on top 69-67 with three minutes remaining but Toney matched it, scoring the next five points including a three-point play with 2:25 on the clock. Christopher Moseley’s two free throws sliced the lead down to 72-71 12 seconds later but Green came back two with 1:21 remaining. With 57.4 seconds left, Peterson knocked down a trey, tying the game up. Ramapo had a chance to win the game late but a jumper from Thomas Bonacum clanged off the rim sending the game to an extra session.

“Pat Peterson is such a competitor and big time player in making that three,” said McBreen. “He makes plays and did today when we needed it.”

“Pat Peterson is a stud,” said Ford. “…offensively skilled and talented an one of the best I have seen. [He] shoots the ball at an unbelievable rate and [it’s] great having him off the bench.”

Ramapo(12-4, 8-1 NJAC) returns to action on Wednesday January 17^th at William Paterson University(9-7, 4-5 NJAC) with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m.

“It’s going to be tough, it’s their first game back from break,” said McBreen. “They’re doing something called ‘Lights Out,’ which means they are wearing all black. [They] asked to go in their road uniforms…all black in the building…it’s going to be a big game.”