Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – Forward Aaron Syvertsen scored 27 points to lead The College of New Jersey to a 70-65 come from behind victory over host Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Wednesday.

The Lions improve to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Profs have an 8-9 record with a 1-4 NJAC mark. Syvertsen (jr. Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park) made nine of 13 field goals. All nine of his baskets were three-pointers. Guard Jay Frank (jr. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.) totaled 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Guard Eric Blackmon-Hayes (sr. Plainfield, NJ/Westfield) dished six assists and had three steals.

For Rowan, guard Dan Reddan (sr. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) recorded 16 points and five rebounds. Forward Tyson Hartnett (jr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) followed with 15 points and a game-high seven boards. Forward Tim Cook (jr. Willingboro, NJ/Glassboro) added 12 points.

Rowan was ahead 34-31 at the intermission. Frank nailed a three-pointer at 17:54 in the second period to tie the game (36-36). The Profs scored the next 12 points to go up 48-36 at 13:50. Reddan and Cook each had four points. Reddan’s layup at 12:49 made the score 50-39. The Lions cut the deficit to two points (50-48) with 8:31 left after a 9-0 run. Frank recorded four points, while Syvertsen had three. At 6:51, Cook made a layup to give the Profs a nine point lead (57-48). The score was 61-52 after a jumper by Hartnett at 4:25.

Syvertsen made four straight three-pointers over the next 1:51 to put the Lions ahead, 64-63. Reddan’s layup at 2:15 gave Rowan a one point advantage (65-64). TCNJ forward Steven Siracusa (so. New Providence, NJ/New Providence) made a layup at 1:49 to put the Lions back up 66-65. Frank sunk two free throws with 20 seconds remaining for a three point lead (68-65). He iced the game with two more foul shots at the two second mark. Syvertsen posted 18 points in the second half, while Frank had 15.

In the first period, TCNJ guard Jeff Molinelli (sr. Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) nailed a three-pointer at 16:49 to put the Lions ahead 11-6. Rowan fought back and guard Billy Care (sr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) connected on two free throws at 14:37 to give the Profs their first lead (12-11). Reddan’s layup at 13:11 stretched the advantage to five (16-11). The Profs were up by 11 points (32-21) following two foul shots by Hartnett at 3:14. The Lions closed out the half with a 10-2 run to make the score 34-31 at the break. Syverstsen hit two three-pointers in the surge. Hartnett led Rowan with nine first half points. Syvertsen and Frank each had nine for TCNJ.

Rowan travels to NJAC opponent Ramapo College on Saturday, January 17 at 3 p.m. Also on Saturday, The College of New Jersey travels to Rutgers-Newark for a 7:30 p.m. contest.