The RVCC Men's Basketball Team opened their 2021-2022 campaign with a victory over Ulster County Community College. The Lions came out firing on all cylinders and opened up a 35-13 lead over the Senators at the midway point of the first half. The Lions used a strong surge to close out the half and were able to increase their lead to 69-27 at the half. RVCC was able to maintain their lead in the second half and cruised to a 109-69 victory. The Lions were led by the backcourt of Ahmad Robinson and Eddie Davis, who combined for 41 points. Raheem Carter added 21 points and pulled down 8 rebounds.
The RVCC Men's Basketball Team traveled up to Sullivan County Community College on Saturday November 6, and were matched up with Monroe County Community College. The first half was an up-tempo high scoring affair and after 20 minutes the Lions held onto a 54-46 lead. RVCC ramped up their defensive intensity in the second half and held the Tribunes to 35% shooting for the game. The Lions had four players lead the way in double figures led by Ahmad Robinson with 24, a double double for Raheem Carter who had 20 points and hauled down 10 boards, Dan Dextraze had 16 points and 6 blocks and Eddie Davis chipped in with 14.
The RVCC Men's Basketball Team finished the Sullivan County Community College Tip Off Classic playing the host team, the Generals of Sullivan County who were ranked 8th in the nation. This high level matchup included numerous lead changes throughout the first 20 minutes. The Generals were able to hold onto a 3 point lead going in the half. The second half featured more back and forth play with neither team taking a significant lead. The Lions were able to build an 8 point lead under the 2 minute mark, but the Generals continued to chip away and brought the lead down to 2 with 20 seconds left. RVCC was able to break Sullivan's press one last time and found a streaking Dan Dextraze who ended the game with a dunk and a 4 point Raritan Valley win. The backcourt of Ahmad Robinson and Eddie Davis combined for 47 points, while Raheem Carter and Dan Dextraze added a combined 34 including 7 3 pointers.
The RVCC Men's Basketball Team traveled to Bethlehem, PA to face off with the Northampton Community College Spartans. During the first 10 minutes of action both teams went on small runs and exchanged leads throughout. The final 10 minutes of the half the Lions were able to build a 9 point lead going into the break. The second half continued to be a back and forth affair and the Spartans were able to battle their way back into the game during the half. The Lions held onto a 2 point lead during the final possession, but the Spartans were able to tie the game on a buzzer beating lay-up. RVCC was forced into overtime for the first time this season and found themselves down by 3 with under 2 minutes left. Dan Dextraze was able to secure an offensive rebound and put back to cut the lead to 1. The next possession Eddie Davis drew a foul and knocked down 2 free throws for the Lions to take a 1 point lead. Davis was then able to secure a defensive rebound and go coast to coast for a lay-up and extend the RVCC lead to 3. Raheem Carter led the way with 29 points, Davis added 24 and Travon Blount was able to provide a spark off the bench and scored 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field.
