PHILADELPHIA, PA – Guard Matt Byrnes scored 24 points to lead Rowan University over Chestnut Hill College, 79-61 in a nonconference game on Friday evening.

Byrnes (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) was eight for 12 from the floor with four threes and four for four from the line. He also had five rebounds and two assists. Forwards Rahim Shiver (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) and Dwayne Reevey (jr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) and guard Thomas Baker (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) each contributed with 10 points. Guard Kevin Darby (so. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) grabbed a career and game high 12 rebounds. Guard Tim Bowser (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) tied his career mark with 10 boards.

Rowan is 8-2 overall and has won five straight games. The win was the 200th career victory for head coach Joe Cassidy. In 11 seasons, Cassidy has a 200-78 record for a .719 winning percentage.

Chestnut Hill is 4-5 on the season. For the Griffins, guard Isaac Greer (sr. Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal Dougherty) totaled 18 points and six rebounds. Forward David Goode (jr. Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal Dougherty) scored 14 points and pulled down six boards.

The first half ended with Rowan ahead 41-34. The score was tied three times before the Profs took the lead for good. With 13:40 left, Goode’s dunk tied the game at 10 for Chestnut Hill. Rowan had two straight baskets for a four point advantage (14-10) at 12:18. Bowser had the first basket and Byrnes made the second. The Profs led 24-21 at 8:55 then they scored 10 straight points to go up 34-21 with 5:26 remaining. The 13 points was Rowan’s biggest lead of the period. Byrnes finished the half with 12 points while Greer totaled 14.

The Griffins came back in the second stanza and trailed by five points (50-45) at 14:27. The five points was the closest they came with the last one (52-47) at 12:20 after Greer’s jumper. Rowan went on a 20-5 run in a eight minute span for a 20 point advantage (72-52). Byrnes and Reevey scored six points apiece in the surge. Darby’s layup at 3:19 gave the Profs’ a 21 point lead (74-53).

After the break, Rowan is back in action at Neumann College on Saturday, January 6 at 1 p.m.