LANCASTER, PA – The Rowan University men's basketball team came back in the second half for an 87-79 win over Keene State College at the Sponaugle New Year's Tournament. 
 
In the other first round game, host Franklin & Marshall College defeated Delaware Valley University, 72-60.  Rowan (9-3) advances to the championship against Franklin & Marshall (7-3) on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m.  Keene State (5-4) plays Delaware Valley (6-5) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
 
Guard DaRon Curry (sr. Deptford, NJ/Phelps School (PA)) scored a season-high 20 points and totaled six assists and five rebounds.  Guard/forward Ramon Wright (sr. Newark, NJ/Irvington) followed with 19 points, five boards and four blocks.  Guards Rob DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) and Nick DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) contributed with 13 and 12 points respectively.  Rob DePersia dished six assists and grabbed five rebounds.  Nick DePersia collected six boards.  Guard Connor Dickerson (fr. Marlton, NJ/Moorestown) chipped in with 11 points.  
 
For the Owls, center James Anozie (so. Poughkeepsie, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) totaled 21 points and eight rebounds.  Forward Ty Nichols (sr. Springfield, MA/Putnam) recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards.  He also had six assists.  Guard Miguel Prieto (so. Providence, RI/Hyde School (ME)) scored 15 points and guard Edwin Ezedonmwen (fr. Dorchester, MA/Hyde School (ME)) had 10.  
 
In the first half, Keene State was ahead by 16 points (36-20) at 5:25 after a three-pointer by Ezedonmwen.  Anozie's layup made the score 44-31 with 2:26 remaining.  The Profs scored seven straight points and trailed by seven (44-38) at the break.  Dickerson made back-to-back baskets and a foul shot then Rob DePersia had two points at the line.  
 
Rob DePersia cut the deficit to three (52-49) with a three-pointer at 14:23 in the second stanza. Wright followed with three foul shots (13:34), which tied the score at 52.  Center Diante Bah (jr. Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) put the Profs ahead 54-52 (13:14) with a dunk.  He sank a foul shot and Dickerson had a layup, which made the score 57-52.
 
Curry's basket gave Rowan a 10 point advantage (67-57) with 10:11 left.  Wright's dunk at 5:24 made the score 80-66.  Keene State followed with 13 straight points to pull within one (80-79) at 1:19.  Ezedonmwen scored five points and Nichols followed with four while Anozie and Prieto each had two.  The Profs sealed the win with a 7-0 run to end the game.  Rob DePersia had two free throws (1:17), Nick DePersia nailed a three (0:24) and Curry produced a dunk (0:11).