Newark, NJ – Stockton University (13-8, 9-5 NJAC) used a strong second half early, but gave up a lead late and fell at the buzzer to Rutgers-Newark (11-10, 7-7 NJAC) 66-64 on Wednesday night. EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/Cherry Hill East) led all players with 23 points.
 
The Scarlet Raiders started strong scoring 12 of the first 19 points in the game, forcing Stockton into a timeout. The home team did not slow down, expanding the margin to 23-14 before baskets by Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville) and Jalen Collins (Blackwood/Triton) narrowed the gap to 23-18 at the 6:33 mark.
 
The lead stayed at five points before the Ospreys were able to slice one off the lead and head to the break, down 32-28. Matthews-Spratley topped the visitors with 11 points, but the Raiders were able to score 13 points off 13 Osprey turnovers to maintain the advantage.
 
Starting the second half, Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) took over, scoring the first seven points of the period to give Stockton its first lead of the game 35-32, forcing the Raiders to call timeout at 17:59.The Ospreys kept up the pressure expanding the lead to 42-38 on a DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland) three ball, before Gaither added on another for the Ospreys.
 
Stockton shot a blistering 77.8% (7-9) in the first 5:29 of the half and were able to expand the margin to 53-45 with 8:21 remaining in regulation for their biggest lead of the night thus far.
 
With the score 64-57 in favor of Stockton with 1:43 remaining in regulation, the Scarlet Raiders made their final winning charge. The home team scored the final nine points of the game, including the game winner at the buzzer, to capture the thrilling 66-64 victory.
 
Matthews-Spratley pilfered a game-high four steals, with Gaither adding 15 points, including 11 in the second half, as the only other Osprey in double figures. Collins pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Pascal Dodard led Rutgers-Newark with 16 points, including the game winner with no time left. Russell Ayala added 14 markers and a game-high four assists, with Levi Holton chipping in with 11 points. Kelvin Marshall tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds.
 
Stockton will return home on Saturday to face Montclair State. Game time is set for 1 pm.