Box Score
ANNVILLE, PA – Rowan University defeated SUNY Brockport, 97-93 in the first round of the Rinso Marquette Tournament on Saturday evening. The Golden Eagles were ranked third in the preseason by Basketball Times.
Rowan (1-0) will meet York College (NY) (1-0) in the championship on Sunday at 3 p.m. In the first round, York edged host Lebanon Valley, 57-56. Brockport (0-1) plays Lebanon Valley (0-1) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
Forward Matt Byrnes (sr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) led the Profs with a game-high 33 points. Byrnes was 12 for 20 from the floor with six threes and three for three from the line. Rowan had four more players that scored in double figures. Guard Billy Care (jr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) contributed with 13 points while guard Kevin Darby (jr. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) added 11. Forward Dwayne Reevey (sr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) and guard Michael Farrow (fr. Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.) each had 10 points. Reevey also recorded five assists.
For Brockport, guard Mychal Wilkes totaled 25 points. Guards Shawn Harris and Joe Clarke scored 15 and 14 points respectively. Forward Bobby Brooks added 11 points. Harris also dished nine assists.
Rowan started the second half with an 11 point advantage (49-38). Brynes nailed a three-pointer at 15:51 that put the Profs up 62-47. The Golden Eagles trailed by 10 points (62-52) after guard Aaron Poles’ three at 15:26. With 13:21 remaining, Rowan was ahead 73-59 then Brockport rallied with 11 unanswered points in a two minute span. The Golden Eagles pulled within three points (73-70) at 11:03. The run included three three-pointers, one each from guard Josh Zenkel, Wilkes and Clarke.
Twice the Profs led by 11 points, 85-74 at 7:55 and 87-76 at 5:50. The last time the Golden Eagles followed with a 15-6 run that ended at 1:17 and they were down by two points, 93-91. Wilkes contributed with nine points and Harris had four in the surge. With 11 seconds left, Darby made two free throws (95-91). Harris hit a layup at the six second mark and Brockport was down by two. Guard Aaron Spellman (jr. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) was fouled by the Golden Eagles with five ticks left on the clock. Spellman sealed the victory with two foul shots. In the final stanza, Byrnes scored 17 points. For Brockport, Wilkes totaled 25 points and Harris had 11.
The Profs opened the first half with a 13-2 run in the first three minutes. Brynes scored 11 of the 13 points. Rowan led by 17 points (38-21) at 5:55 after Brynes hit a three. Reevey’s layup made the score 45-28 with 3:38 remaining. Brockport ended the period with a 10-4 run and trailed by 11 (49-38) at the intermission. Byrnes finished the half with 16 points. Brooks led the Golden Eagles with 11.
