Photo Courtesy of Ramapo Athletics
The Ramapo College women’s basketball team lost to Rutgers-Camden in an NJAC contest on Saturday by a score of 43-38. The Roadrunners are now 5-19 with one game left on the season, while the Raptors of Rutgers-Camden improved to 14-9.
After a strong first quarter for the Roadrunners, in which junior guard Shelby Ringer came off the bench to connect on a pair of threes, they led 16-10. After racing out to a six-point lead after one quarter, they struggled offensively the rest of the way, unable to shoot effectively from the floor going just 14-44.
Rutgers-Camden was able to get things rolling in the second quarter, as they went on a 10-0 run, making it 20-16 with 2:23 left in the first half, holding the Roadrunners scoreless for over seven minutes. The Raptors took the lead for good midway through the second quarter, outscoring the Roadrunners 33-22 in the final three quarters.
Kamari Talley, a senior forward for the Raptors, was a dominant force leading the team with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Talley, who never came off the floor playing the entire 40 minutes, averages 21.4 points a game, which ranks ninth in the country.
“Talley is one of the best players in the NJAC. We did a great job on her, Alyson Oostdyk played her tough,” said head coach Mike Eineker.
After scoring just 11 points total in the second and third quarters, the Roadrunners were able to bounce back late in the fourth and cut the deficit to six, making it 41-35. Time was an enemy though, as the comeback attempt by the Roadrunners came up short and the Raptors held on for the victory.
Junior forward Kellie Lane led the Roadrunners with 11 rebounds and also scored seven points.
Lane lead the team in points per game (11.3) and an astounding 148 free-throw attempts on the year, which can be attributed to Lane’s tenacity and fearlessness when driving to the basket, no matter the beating she may take inside the paint.
“Kellie Lane has been a solid leader for us this year. She’s always given her full effort and is a great teammate,” Eineker said.
Although the Roadrunners lost nine of their last ten games, there are high hopes heading into next season having three starters returning in Lane, Alexandra Seedes and Bridgette Buckalew.
“Even though this year hasn’t gone like we hoped, we still play as a team and play hard every single game, “ said Lane.
The Roadrunners’ season came to a close last night, as the Roadrunners lost to the Scarlet Raiders on Rutgers-Newark by a score of 67-57 on senior night. The Roadrunners ended the season with a 5-20 record and a 3-15 record in the NJAC.
ekraljic@ramapo.edu
