Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – Forward Matt Byrnes scored 29 points to lead the Rowan University men’s basketball team to a 72-58 victory over Medgar Evers College on Saturday.

Byrnes (sr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) shot nine of 20 from the floor, including four of seven from beyond the three-point arc and seven of nine from the free throw line. He also pulled down 10 rebounds. Forward Rahim Shiver (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) also had a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 14 rebounds. Guard Billy Care (jr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) contributed with seven points.

Rowan improves to 8-1, while Medgar Evers is 1-10. For the Cougars, forward Clovis Essis totaled 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Forward Jahi Mays added 14 points and 11 boards. Guard Kallai Sharpe was also in double figures with 10 points, while guard Ronald Holloway recorded seven points and eight rebounds.

Rowan opened the game with a 12-4 run over the first 4:33. Reddan had seven points, Care hit a three-pointer and guard Kevin Darby (jr. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) and Byrnes each contributed with two. Guard Aaron Spellman (jr. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) made two foul shots at 7:59 to put the Profs up by 14 (24-10). Byrnes’ three-pointer at 2:11 gave Rowan its biggest lead of the game, 20 points (34-13). Essis’ layup with 1:01 left made the score 34-18 at the intermission.

Byrnes compiled 11 points and six rebounds in the first half. Shiver and Darby each had five boards. For the Cougars, Essis and Mays posted seven points and six rebounds apiece.

Medgar Evers began the second period with an 8-1 surge to come within nine points (35-26) at 17:39. Essis had six of the eight points. The Profs answered with a 9-1 run of their own over the next 3:11. Care’s layup at 14:28 gave Rowan a 44-27 advantage. The Profs led 50-35 following Shiver’s layup at 12:14. Medgar Evers had an 8-1 stretch to pull within eight (51-43)with 9:26 left. Miles had four points, while Essis and Mays each had two. Essis’ layup at 7:23 cut the deficit to five points (55-50). It was the closest the Cougars would come. Rowan reeled off 11 straight points to go ahead by 16 (66-50) with 3:54 remaining. Byrnes scored seven of the 11 points.

Rowan hosts Immaculata University on Friday, December 21 at 8 p.m.