Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – Guard Thomas Baker scored 23 points to lead Rowan University to a 76-56 victory over Valley Forge Christian College on Thursday.

Baker (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) made nine of 17 shots from the floor, including two of four three-pointers and went three for six from the foul line. Forward Matt Byrnes (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) was also in double figures with 11 points. Byrnes grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Forward Rahim Shiver (so. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) came off the bench to record eight points and five rebounds. Guard Tim Bowser (sr. Millville, NJ/Millville) dished five assists.

Rowan improves to 15-5 on the season, while Valley Forge Christian has an 11-14 mark. For the Patriots, guard Justyn Mitchell totaled 14 points and six rebounds. Guard James Fulton and forward Steve Pierantozzi contributed with 12 and 11 points respectively. Forward Chris Freeman pulled down eight rebounds and forward Zachary Housand had seven boards.

Rowan jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Guard Dan Reddan (so. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) and Baker each had four points. Rowan was ahead by five points (13-8) at 11:10. The Profs went on a 10-0 for a 23-8 advantage (5:44). Baker and Shiver had four points apiece in the stretch. The score was 36-21 at halftime. Baker had 15 points in the first period, while Fulton led Valley Forge Christian with seven points.

In the second half, Rowan was up 42-25 at 17:57. The Patriots cut the lead to six points (45-39) with a 14-3 run over the next five minutes. Pierantozzi and Fulton each scored five points. It was the closest Valley Forge Christian would come for the remainder of the game. Rowan’s largest lead was 22 points (76-54) with 54 seconds left.

Rowan hosts Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Saturday, February 3 at 3 p.m.