Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University men’s basketball team had a 63-58 victory over Kean University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Wednesday.

The Profs improve to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Cougars have a 3-4 record and a 1-2 NJAC mark. Rowan was led by forward Tyson Hartnett (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) with 18 points and five rebounds. Guard Allen Pritchett (sr. Camden, NJ/Woodbury) posted a career-high 17 points. Guard Sean Hughes (jr. Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Boro) totaled seven points and six assists. Center Derek Piccini (sr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.) added eight points.

For Kean, guard Vinnie Darpino (sr. Colonia, NJ/Colonia) compiled 16 points, including three three-pointers. Forward Jonathan Jones (jr. Linden, NJ/Linden) had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Brian Lytle (sr. Union, NJ/St. Mark’s (MA)) contributed with seven points and five boards.

Kean led 33-25 after the first half. In the second period, Darpino’s layup at 18:38 made the score 35-27. Rowan scored six straight points to pull within two (35-33) at 16:28. Hartnett had two baskets, while Hughes added a jumper. Kean was up 37-35 at 15:12. Pritchett nailed a three-pointer (14:28) to put Rowan ahead, 38-37. After a three-point play by Jones (13:15), Hartnett’s layup (12:48) tied the score (40-40).

The Profs had a two point advantage (51-49) at 8:19. Rowan followed with a 7-0 surge over the next 1:59 for a nine point lead (58-49). Guard Laud Anderson (jr. N. Brunswick, NJ/N. Brunskwick Twp.) had three points, Pritchett sunk a three-pointer and Hartnett hit a foul shot. Kean scored the next six points to pull within three (58-55) with 2:55 remaining. Guard Dean Hughes (sr. Pemberton Twp., NJ/Pemberton Twp.) nailed a three-pointer and a free throw and Jones had a layup. It was the closest Kean came the rest of the way. Pritchett scored all 17 of his points in the second period.

In the first half, Kean jumped out to a 14-8 lead over the first 7:18. Rowan scored the next five points to cut the deficit to one (15-14) at 11:07. Piccini’s two foul shots at 8:32 tied the game at 18. The Cougars had a 7-1 run to pull ahead, 25-19 at 5:26. Darpino hit a three-pointer and forward Rodlin Pierre (sr. Orange, NJ/West Orange) and Jones each had a layup. Kean pushed its advantage to 10 points at 3:17 (31-21) and 1:02 (33-23). Rowan forward Tim Matchett (jr. Pitman, NJ/Pitman) nailed a jumper with 28 second left to make the score, 33-25 at the intermission. Darpino and Hartnett each totaled 11 points in the half.

Rowan hosts the Heritage’s Dairy Stores Classic on Friday-Saturday, December 11-12. On Friday, Penn State Brandywine plays Delaware Valley College at 6 p.m. followed by Berkeley College against Rowan at 8 p.m. The consolation and championship are on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. respectively.