GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University men's basketball team defeated Rosemont College, 96-87 in the first round of the LaScala's Fire Tip-Off Tournament on Thursday.
The Profs will meet Penn State Brandywine in the championship on Friday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Widener University plays Rosemont in the consolation game at 6 p.m. In the other first round game, Penn State Brandywine defeated Widener, 87-79.
Rowan had seven players in double figures. Guard
Connor Dickerson (fr. Marlton, NJ/Moorestown) and guard/forward
Ramon Wright (sr. Newark, NJ/Irvington) led the way with 17 and 16 points respectively. Wright also grabbed seven rebounds. Forward
Teirique Robinson (sr. Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) contributed with 13 points and seven boards.
Guards
Nick DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.)and
DaRon Curry (sr. Deptford, NJ/Phelps School (PA)) each had 11 points. Guard
Rob DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) and forward
Marko Pantovic (so. Mullica Hill, NJ/Zemun (Serbia)) added 10 points apiece.
Rob DePersia also dished five assists while Pantovic collected eight rebounds.
Forward Jalil Myers (jr. Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep) recorded game-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Ravens. Guard Keith Blassingale (jr. Philadelphia, PA/New Foundations) scored 17 points and forward Basil Thompson (sr. Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep) followed with 13. Guard Jacob Simonson (sr. Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
Rowan started the second half with a five-point advantage (51-46) and scored 13 straight points to lead by 18 (64-46) with 17:42 remaining. The Profs were ahead 69-58 (12:44) after a jumper and foul shot by Dickerson. Rosemont pulled within three (71-68) after a 10-2 run that ended at 9:58.
Blassingale made two shots at the foul line (6:10) and Rosemont trailed 78-76. Rowan responded with a 14-4 surge to lead by 12 (92-80) at the two-minute mark. Curry produced six points in the surge. The closest the Ravens came in the final minutes was nine points (94-85) with 37 seconds left and at the end of the game (96-87).
