Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Forward Steve Secula recorded 21 points to lead Rowan University to a 73-58 victory over Arcadia University on Tuesday night. It was the season opener for both teams.
Secula (so. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) made nine of 11 shots from the floor and three of five free throws. He also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds. Guard Kendall White (fr. Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) added 15 points and three steals. Forwards Tyson Hartnett (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) and Gary Foster (so. Neptune, NJ/Neptune) each scored nine points.
For Arcadia (0-1), guard Renard Smith (fr. New Orleans, LA/McDonogh 35) posted 12 points. Forward Jason Thompson (so. Cape May Court House, NJ/Middle Twp.) contributed with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench. Guard Damien Palantino (sr. Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) and forward Marvin Holman-Little (fr. Philadelphia, PA/Penncrest) each recorded eight points.
Rowan (1-0) led 37-22 at halftime. Palantino’s three-pointer at 13:30 brought the Knights within 13 points (46-33). The Profs scored six straight points to go ahead 52-33 at 12:08. Secula had four of the six points. Rowan was up 59-41 with 6:59 to play. Arcadia had a 6-0 surge to cut the deficit to 12 (59-47) at 5:33. Thompson scored four points and Holman-Little made a layup. After two foul shots by Profs’ guard Allen Pritchett (sr. Camden, NJ/Woodbury) at 5:02, Smith nailed a three-pointer (4:50) to bring the Knights within 11 (61-50). Two straight baskets by Foster made the score 65-50 with 3:18 left. White’s layup at 1:04 extended the lead to 19 points (73-54) before Arcadia had two layups over the final 46 seconds.
Secula and White both totaled eight points in the second period, while Foster had seven. Smith compiled eight points for the Knights.
Rowan started the game with a 19-5 run over the first 7:46. Secula and Hartnett recorded six points apiece over that span. Arcadia came within 10 points (19-9) at 10:43. The score was 23-11 at 8:25. The Profs scored the next five points to go ahead 28-11 at 6:18. Rowan’s largest lead of the half was 19 points (36-17) at 2:45 after a jumper by center Derek Piccini (sr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.).
Rowan travels to Widener University for the Oki Data Americas Tip-Off Tournament on Friday-Saturday, November 20-21. The Profs face Regis College (MA) on Friday at 8 p.m. Prior, Widener takes on St. Joseph’s Brooklyn at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the consolation game is at 1 p.m. followed by the championship at 3 p.m.
