Box Score

CAMDEN, NJ – Forward Matt Byrnes scored 24 points to lead Rowan University to a 72-57 win over Rutgers-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.

Byrnes (sr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) made nine of 14 field goals, four of eight three-pointers and two of two free throws. He also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Guard Kevin Darby (jr. Atco, NJ/Hammonton) contributed with 17 points and five boards. Guard Dan Reddan (jr. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) chipped in with eight points.

Rowan moves to 11-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Rutgers-Camden has a 3-13 overall record and a 0-5 NJAC mark. For the Scarlet Raptors, guard Mark McCloskey (so. Pennsauken, NJ/Camden Catholic) posted 20 points. Forward Alex Rislin (so. Union, NJ/Union) chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Rowan opened the game with a 22-3 run over the first 8:17. Darby had 11 points, Byrnes added five, forward Rahim Shiver (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) had four and guard Aaron Spellman (jr. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) made a layup. Rowan led by 20 points (39-19) at the intermission following two free throws by guard Billy Care (jr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) with 17 seconds remaining. In the first half, Darby and Byrnes totaled 13 and 10 points respectively.

In the second period, Rowan was ahead, 43-20 after two foul shot by Care at 18:20. The Scarlet Raptors had a 9-1 surge to trail by 15 points (44-29) at 15:07. Guard Joshua Askew (so. Philadelphia, PA/Winslow Twp.) scored four points, while forward Jared Meredith (fr. Mt. Laurel, NJ/Burlington County Tech) added three. McCloskey’s layup at 11:33 cut the deficit to 12 points (47-35). Rowan outscored Rutgers-Camden, 20-6 over the next 5:44 to lead 67-41. Byrnes recorded 14 of the 20 points. The Scarlet Raptors came as close as 13 points (70-57) following McCloskey’s three-point with 1:03 left.

Rowan hosts The College of New Jersey in a NJAC game on Wednesday, January 23 at 8 p.m.