NEWARK, N.J. (Jan. 21, 2026) – The Rutgers University-Camden men's basketball team jumped to a quick 5-0 lead and led all the way as it defeated Rutgers University-Newark, 62-47, here Wednesday night in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game.
 
The win lifts the Scarlet Raptors to 9-7 overall and 4-6 in the NJAC, while the Scarlet Raiders fall to 3-14 and 0-10.
 
Newark still leads the all-time series, 62-40, but Rutgers-Camden has won the last three meetings, including a 59-58 victory in Camden on Jan. 3.
 
Senior forward Cameron Downs scored the first five points of the game for the Raptors, who opened up a 29-21 halftime lead behind 11 points from senior guard Eric Benjamin. Downs added seven points and three steals in the opening half.
 
After Rutgers-Newark cut its deficit to 31-25 early in the second half, the Scarlet Raptors rattled off eight straight points to push their lead to 39-25. They held a double-digit lead for most of the rest of the game.
 
Downs finished with 24 points, while Benjamin netted 13 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Freshman forward Makai Crawford scored 10 points, while sophomore guards Keion Elliott and Ryan Senft both added six points. Senft also had a game-high four assists.
 
Newark received 15 points from freshman guard Raheem Murray.
 
Rutgers-Camden shot 23-for-49 (46.9 percent) from the floor and 9-for-15 (60.0) from the foul line, while Rutgers-Newark shot 15-for-40 (37.5) and 16-for-22 (72.7), respectively.
 
The Scarlet Raptors held a 29-26 edge in rebounds.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC action on Saturday with a 3 p.m. home game against Ramapo College. Prior to the game, the Scarlet Raptors will celebrate Senior Day for Benjamin, Downs and senior guard Isaiah Waters.