Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Guard Thomas Baker scored 26 points to lead Rowan University to an 88-80 victory over New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent Rutgers-Newark on Monday.
Baker (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) made 10 of 24 field goals, two of six three-pointers and four of seven free throws. Forward Matt Byrnes (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) added 18 points and eight rebounds. Guard Tim Bowser (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) totaled 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Guard Dan Reddan (so. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) contributed with nine points, while forward Dwayne Reevey (jr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) grabbed eight rebounds.
Rowan improves to 14-5 overall and 4-4 in the conference. Rutgers-Newark has a 15-5 overall record and a 5-3 NJAC mark. Forward David Cherry (so. Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic) led the way for the Scarlet Raiders with 19 points and six boards. Guards Chadd Barnes (so. Newark, NJ/University) and Quran Wimberley (sr. Newark, NJ/St. Anthony’s) added 18 and 17 points respectively. Forward Derryck Alexander (jr. Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
Rowan had a 47-43 advantage at intermission. The Profs opened the second half with an 11-5 run to lead 61-48 at 14:52. Baker had five points and Reddan scored four in the stretch. Rutgers-Newark narrowed the deficit to six points (70-64) after a free throw by Cherry. Bowser had a layup at 6:21 to put Rowan up by seven (75-68). The Scarlet Raiders scored seven straight points to tie the game at 75 with 4:36 left. Barnes made three foul shots and a jumper, while Cherry added two free throws. The game was tied three more times, with the final one (80-80) with 1:14 remaining. Rowan had the final eight points of the game to preserve the win. Byrnes made a three-pointer and a foul shot, while guard Aaron Spellman (so. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) and Baker each connected on two free throws.
In the first half, Rowan started the game with a 16-4 run capped off by a three-pointer by Byrnes at 16:22. Baker had seven points and Byrnes had five. The Profs were ahead 24-10 following a jumper by guard Kevin Darby (so. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) at 12:26. Rutgers-Newark posted eight straight points to cut the lead to six (24-18). Barnes’ three-pointer at 6:55 made the score 28-26. Rowan gradually built up an eight point advantage (39-31) with 2:55 left in the half. The Scarlet Raiders found themselves down by only one point (42-41) following a 10-2 run over the next 1:28. Rowan led 44-43 with 36 seconds remaining. Baker connected on a three-pointer with two seconds on the clock to make the score 47-43 at halftime. He led all scorers with 17 points.
Rowan hosts Valley Forge Christian College in a nonconference game on Thursday, February 1 at 7 p.m.
