Ramapo Men’s Basketball Sets Program Record with 9th Straight Win

(Photo by Sunil Sunder Raj)

All along, Ramapo College men’s basketball head coach Chuck McBreen said the goal was to start 9-0 and on Thursday night at Farmingdale State, the Roadrunners had the opportunity to etch themselves into the school record books for most consecutive wins to start a season. They did just that, coasting to an 88-73 victory.

Junior forward Christopher Moseley and senior forward Sultan Aminu scored 14 points apiece leading a balanced attack as Ramapo College (9-0, 5-0 NJAC) had five players in double figures. Junior forward Thomas Bonacum nearly recorded a triple double registering 10 points, nine rebound and five assists. Junior forward Nick Stanek came off the bench tallying 12 points and nine rebounds as the Roadrunners bench produced 30 points.

“A great accomplishment being here 19 years and to set the record,” McBreen said. “The credit goes to the kids and all their hard work and effort every day. We spread the ball well around and had 25 assists and talk about unselfishness every day where we don’t care who gets the credit as long as we win. You get different people stepping up every game.”

Tied at 7-7 in the first half, the Roadrunners went on a 14-2 run taking a 21-9 and stretched it out to 35-15 with 7:41 remaining. However, the Rams charged back with an 18-8 run of their own trimming the lead to 43-33 at halftime. Ramapo got back into gear starting the second half going on an 8-0 only to see the advantage dwindle down to 59-50 with 14 minutes left. The Roadrunners seized control of the game with a 12-0 tear and went ahead to stay.

Ramapo shot the ball efficiently from the field at 54.2% with 56 points in the paint and defensive full court pressure leading to 37 points off turnovers.

“Built on the style of the play and wearing people down we have those type of runs,” said McBreen. “Our difference with most teams’ is out depth and using it to our own advantage and effective so far.”

After the Christmas holiday, the Roadrunners travel to Las Vegas where they will participate in the D3Hoops.com Classic Tournament. In the first game on December 28, Ramapo faces a tough test against No. 10 nationally ranked Salisbury. The next day the Roadrunners go up against Gustavus Aldophus.

“Our goal is to go out there and take care of business in both games,” McBreen said. “We broke the men’s basketball record for most consecutive wins to start a season and now want to go after the baseball team’s record of 13-0 set last year and on the plate.”