Sophomore center Antoine Miller (Camden, NJ/Medical Arts) added 15 points and six rebounds to make the all-tournament team as Rutgers-Camden improved to 4-1.The win gives the Scarlet Raptors their first four-game winning streak since Nov. 24-Dec. 1, 2001.
The Giants (2-4) took a 24-23 halftime lead before the Scarlet Raptors turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, aided by the intensity of freshman guard Rory Thornton (Vauxhall, NJ/Union) and three blocked shots by junior guard Tarell Robinson (Irvington, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep).
The Raptors’ defense limited Keystone to 19-for-66 shooting in the game (28.8 percent), including 4-for-24 (16.7) from three-point range. Rutgers-Camden outscored the Giants, 32-23, in the second half.
Francis, who scored 18 points in the Raptors’ tournament opener against Albany College of Pharmacy, notched his game-high 17 points and nine rebounds in the title game. Miller added his 15 points, aided by 7-for-11 shooting from the foul line. Senior guard Dane Nicholson (Pleasantville, NJ/Holy Spirit) added nine points to raise his career total to 883.
The Scarlet Raptors open their New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule Wednesday at 8 p.m. when they host Richard Stockton College.