Forward Jeremy Young tossed in 23 points and guard Khayri Ransom added 18, but it wasn't enough as the No. 9 seed Runners' Men's Basketball team dropped a 75-64 decision to No. 8 Union County College in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 19 Division III playoffs at Essex County College Saturday.
The Runners finished their season with a 14-15 overall record in losing to the Owls for the third time this winter. Union gained an early advantage, racing to a 34-24 halftime lead and never looking back. The Owls advance to meet No. 1 seed Montgomery County (Pa) on Tuesday night.
Game Day Preview
The No. 9 seed Roadrunner Men's Basketball team travels to meet No. 8 seed Union County College on Saturday in a first round Region 19 playoff game set to tip-off at 7 pm. The contest will be played at Essex County College.
Head coach Will Logan, whose squad overcame an injury-filled campaign to earn his programs's first playoff berth, expects his Roadrunners to be ready for action.
"It's been a tough road, but these players overcame a lot and they are excited to have this this opportunity," said Logan, whose team finished the regular season at 14-14. "We should be very competitive."
During the regular season, the Runners lost two close games to the Owls by razor-thin margins, 80-77 and 78-77.
Forward Jeremy Young, who averaged 12.9 points per game, feels the Runners can avenge those setbacks.
"We have a full lineup and we made a lot of strides toward the end of the season," he said following a win over Camden County College this week that clinched the playoff berth. "I guarantee you no one will be backing down."
Freshman guard Khayri Ransom has also made a full return from an early-season injury, and brings a 15.6 ppg into the playoffs. Other top contributors offensively for the Runners include guard Daniel Wellington (11.7 ppg), guard Nick Sambour (10.9 ppg) and forward Laddis Taylor (10.9 pg).
Should the Runners win, they will advance to play top-seed Montgomery County College (PA) on Tuesday, February 22.