Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Montclair State University men’s basketball team had five players scored in double figures in an 83-72 win over Rowan University in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
Montclair State (16-10) travels to the North Division’s number one seed William Paterson University (18-6) on Thursday, February 28 for a 7 p.m. semifinal game. Rowan finishes the season with an 18-8 record. The Profs were the second seed in the conference’s South Division while the Red Hawks were the third seed from the North Division.
In the other first round game, number two from the North Division Ramapo College defeated the third seed from the South Division Kean University, 60-59. Ramapo (16-10) advances to the semifinals at the South Division’s first seed Richard Stockton College (18-6) on Thursday. The two winners meet in the championship on Saturday, March 1 at the higher seed. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
The Red Hawks were led by guards James Williams (fr. Englewood, NJ/Dwight Morrow) and Chris McCann (fr. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) with 17 points apiece. Guard Ken Dudley (so. Willingboro, NJ/Burlington Tech) posted 13 points and seven rebounds. Forward John Byrne (so. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) scored 12 points, while center Ryan Washington (jr. Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens) compiled a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. Forward Jon Georges (fr. West Orange, NJ/St. Peter’s Prep) grabbed nine rebounds.
For the Profs, guard Michael Farrow (fr. Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.) recorded a game-high 19 points. Forward Matt Byrnes (sr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) posted 14 points to finish his career with 1,988 in 103 games. He is Rowan’s all-time leading scorer. Forward Dwayne Reevey (sr. Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven) pulled down a career best 15 rebounds, scored nine points and dished six assists. Forward Rahim Shiver (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill E.) contributed with eight points and nine boards off the bench.
The Red Hawks led 42-31 at the intermission. Rowan cut the deficit to seven points (42-35) following a layup and a free throw by Farrow at 18:54. Montclair State scored the next 11 points to go up by 18 (53-35) at 16:22. Dudley recorded five points, Washington had four and McCann added a layup.
Two straight three-pointers by guard Aaron Spellman (jr. Pine Hill, NJ/St. Joseph’s (Hammonton)) (16:09) and Farrow (14:42) cut the deficit to 12 (53-41). Reevey’s layup at 10:54 pulled the Profs within 13 (60-47). Montclair State got two free throws by McCann (9:25) and a jumper by Williams (9:21) for a 17 point advantage (64-47).
The Red Hawks led by 20 (75-55) at 4:15. Georges’ layup with 2:36 left to play put Montclair State ahead, 77-61. The Profs had a 9-0 run to come within seven points (77-70) with 1:11 remaining. Forward Tim Cook (so. Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) had four points, while Farrow, Reevey and Spellman each added two. Cook’s layup with 29 seconds on the clock made the score 79-72. Dudley and forward Carlos Pena (jr. Clifton, NJ/Clifton) made two foul shots apiece at 00:24 and 00:15 to seal the victory.
In the first half, the game was tied 7-7 after a layup by Montclair State guard Tom Bonard (fr. Westfield, NJ/Westfield) at 16:48. The Red Hawks had a 16-3 run over the next 4:54 to lead by 13 (23-10). McCann nailed three three-pointers and a foul shot, Williams had a jumper and two free throws and Pena hit a jump shot. Byrnes’ three-pointer at 5:59 brought the Profs within five (29-24). Montclair State closed out the half with an 18-7 surge. McCann led all first half scorers with 13 points and Williams had 10. Byrnes posted 12 points for Rowan.
