Box Score MAHWAH, NJ – The Rowan University men's basketball team won its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener at Ramapo College, 76-61 on Saturday afternoon.
The Profs are 3-0 while the Roadrunners have a 2-1 mark. Forward
Mike Simpson (sr. Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Twp.) had a game-high 18 points and seven rebounds. Forward
Ike Robinson (jr. Trenton, NJ/Conwell-Egan Catholic (PA)) poured in 16 points while forward
Chris Gross (jr. Cranford, NJ/Roselle Catholic) and center
Dan Brogan (jr. Northvale, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan) registered 10 apiece.
Forward Ve'Shawn Polite (fr. Harlem, NY/Elmwood Park Mem.) led Ramapo with 12 points. He also collected six rebounds. Forward Thomas Bonacum (fr. Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) produced 11 points and corralled seven boards. Forward Frank Nock (jr. Bridgeton, NJ/Bridgeton) added seven points and four assists.
Rowan started the second half with a 12-0 run in 4:09. Guard
Kris O'Connor (jr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Paul VI) produced six points while forward
Skylar Moore (jr. Westville, NJ/Hempstead (NY)), Gross and Simpson each had a basket. Simpson sank a jump shot (11:58) and the Profs led by 17 (47-30). The Roadrunners registered the next six points to cut the deficit to 11 (47-36) with 10:56 remaining. Bonacum converted a free throw (8:26) to make the score 53-41. Rowan followed with five consecutive points for a 58-41 lead (7:16). Robinson had a jumper (1:30) and the Profs had their largest lead at 20 (72-52).
Rowan led 27-26 at the break. Ramapo had a 7-2 advantage after Polite's free throw at 16:43. Robinson's jumper put the Profs within one (10-9, 11:56). Bonacum made a jump shot (8:45) and the Roadrunners were up 15-11. Polite converted a dunk (5:23) for a four-point margin (21-17). Rowan then tallied six straight points and 10 of the final 15 to close the half. Robinson recorded five points, Simpson nailed a three and Brogan made two foul shots. Simpson led all scorers in the frame with nine points.
The Profs travel to NJAC opponent Richard Stockton College on Tuesday, November 25 for an 8 p.m. game.
