GLASSBORO, NJ – Guard Thomas Baker scored 24 points to lead Rowan University to a 92-76 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College in a nonconference game on Friday.

Baker (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) made eight of 19 shots from the floor and six of eight free throws. Forward Matt Byrnes (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) added 13 points and forward Dwayne Reevey (jr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) had 12. Byrnes and Reevey each pulled down six rebounds. Forward Rahim Shiver (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) contributed eight rebounds, while guard Billy Care (so. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) dished seven assists.

Rowan improves to 7-2, while Gwynedd-Mercy has a 4-3 record. For the Griffins, guards Lamiere Talley (fr. Blackwood, NJ/Highland) and Matt Johnson (fr. Philadelphia, PA/Strawberry Mansion) scored 11 and 10 points respectively. Guard Rashid Santiago (sr. Allentown, PA/The George School) recorded a game-high eight assists.

Rowan led 57-35 at the half. The Profs were ahead 69-44 at 14:01, when the Griffins went on a 16-1 run over the next four minutes to come within 10 points (70-60). Talley scored eight points, while guard Larz Jeter (so. Philadelphia, PA/Parkway) had six. Rowan had a 16 point advantage (82-66) with 5:19 left after a jumper by Baker. Talley’s three pointer at 1:47 brought the Griffins within 11 (86-75). The Profs closed out the game with a 6-1 run. Guard Dan Cappelluti (so. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) made four free throws and Byrnes converted two.

In the first half, the score was tied 9-9 at 15:40. Rowan put together a 15-1 run to lead 24-10 at 11:32. Guards Dan Reddan (so. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.) and Aaron Spellman (so. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) and Byrnes each had three points. The Profs were ahead 38-22 at 6:14 after a layup by guard Kevin Darby (so. Atco, NJ/Hammonton). The Griffins made the score 41-29 at 3:28 following a jumper by guard Jack Forth (so. Upper Merion, PA/Upper Merion). Rowan finished the half outscoring Gwynedd-Mercy 16-6 for a 22 point halftime advantage (57-35).

Baker led all players in the first half with 12 points. Reevey added nine points, while Byrnes had eight. For Gwynedd-Mercy, guard Corey Rich (sr. Norristown, PA/Kennedy-Kenrick) and guard Chris DelBrocco (sr. Philadelphia, PA/St. John Neumann) each contributed nine points.