Box Score
EWING, NJ – Guard Thomas Baker scored 23 points to lead Rowan University to a 68-59 win over The College of New Jersey in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.
Baker (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) made 10 of 21 shots from the floor, one of three three-pointers and went two for three from the foul line. Forward Matt Byrnes (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) recorded seven points and seven rebounds. Byrnes moved into a tie with Bob Belle (1954-58) for seventh place on the University’s career scoring list with 1,262 points. Forward Dwayne Reevey (jr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) added seven points, six assists and five rebounds. Forward Rahim Shiver (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) and guard Tim Bowser (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) contributed with nine and eight points respectively.
Rowan has won eight straight games and has an 11-2 overall record with a 2-1 NJAC mark. The College of New Jersey is 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Guard Brian Halligan (sr. Delran, NJ/Delran) scored 17 points and pulled down six rebounds for the Lions. Guard William Jett (fr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) totaled 14 points and eight rebounds, while forward Mark Aziz (jr. Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris) had 10 points and nine boards. Guard Corey Gilmore (jr. S. Plainfield, NJ/S. Plainfield) dished six assists.
The Profs had a 40-30 halftime advantage. Rowan led by 10 points (48-38) at 10:51 following a jumper by guard Kevin Darby (so. Atco, NJ/Hammonton). TCNJ guard Jay Frank (fr. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.) made a three-pointer at 7:54 to bring the score to 52-43. Rowan answered with two straight baskets to lead, 56-43 with 6:38 left to play. The Lions came as close as eight points (56-48) at 5:20. The Profs went on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes for a 66-48 advantage, their biggest of the game. Baker and Bowser each had four points, while Byrnes added two free throws in the stretch.
In the first half, Rowan went up 10-5 at 15:07 following a layup by Shiver. Aziz’s basket at 13:38 narrowed the lead to one point (10-9). Lions’ guard Jeff Molinelli (so. Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) connected on a three at 12:03 to tie the game (12-12). The Profs went on a 10-1 run for a 22-13 advantage (8:28). Guard Aaron Spellman (so. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) totaled five points, Reevey added three and Bowser had two. Rowan was up 40-26 with 1:25 remaining in the half. Gilmore made two baskets to make the score 40-30 at intermission.
Rowan travels to Penn State Abington for a nonconference game on Monday, January 15 at 7 p.m.
