New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE
GAME PROGRAM/NOTES: Inside-the-Athlete feature, ASMAR EDWARDS


JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rowan University used a 15-0 run late in the first half to stake itself to an eight-point lead at halftime and maintained a comfortable distance through most of the second half as the Profs handed host New Jersey City University a 67-57 setback in New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball action on December 1 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on 'Coach Charlie Brown Court.'
 
Rowan remains perfect at 6-0 (3-0 NJAC) while sending NJCU (1-4, 0-3 NJAC) to its fourth consecutive loss. NJCU falls to 1-4 to start a season for the first time since the 1968-69 campaign when then Jersey City State College opened the year at 1-5; NJCU is also 0-3 in conference play for the first time since losing its first four NJAC games in 2002-03.
 
In defeat, freshman shooting guard KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) reached double figures for the fourth time in five games, finishing with team highs of 19 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3FG, 5-8 FT) and eight rebounds (six defensive) in 29 minutes. The 19 points matches a career high against Nazareth College on November 17.
 
Sophomore DAVID COLE (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) had a career-high 10 points (4-11 FG) in 27 reserve minutes.  Sophomore power forward DREW MARLEY (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) collected eight points (4-7 FG) and five boards while freshman power forward MATT BREWER (Jersey City, NJ/University Academy) also netted eight points (4-7 FG).
 
Three players reached double figures for Rowan, led by senior forward Brendan Cox (Lindenwold, NJ/Highland Regional) who banked a double-double of 21 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3FG) and 10 rebounds (eight defensive); the 21 points were a career best. Junior guard Rich McNamara (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) also produced a double-double, chipping in 12 points (4-10 FG) and 11 rebounds (seven defensive).
 
A huge catalyst for the Profs all game was the court play of junior point guard Jason Rosenberg (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley). Already the school's all-time leader in assists, he evened his career-best with 13 helpers in the game versus just three turnovers in a full 40 minutes of action. He added eight points and three steals.
 
Junior forward Matt Whitworth (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) matched a career-high with 15 points (5-14), highlighted by 5-of-12 shooting from three-point range. He added a career-best seven rebounds.
 
The story of the contest was written in the first half. NJCU gained its first lead 2:46 into the action and pushed the lead to two possessions midway through the period, eventually extending eight-point leads, 19-11 (9:45) and 22-14 (8:57) when Muhammad knocked down a pair of three-pointers.
 
But Rowan unleashed a 15-0 run over the next 6:52 and outscored NJCU 18-2 to close the first period as NJCU missed 13 consecutive shots during the stretch.
 
Cox scored nine of the 15 points, making a pair of layups (7:41 and 6:48). After a window of 3:23 where neither school could score, Whitworth hit a three to shave NJCU's advantage to one. A layup by Cox (2:46) put Rowan back on top, 23-22, which it would maintain the rest of the game and Cox followed with a three at 1:31 before Whitworth hit a triple 23 seconds later to cap the run. After an NJCU layup, McNamara sank a three to give Rowan a 32-24 margin at the break.
 
NJCU pulled within six, 32-26, 1:13 into the second half before Rowan converted the next eight points in a span of 2:41, to extend its two-period scoring outburst to 26-4.
 
A three by Whitworth made it 39-26 lead and the double digit deficit was too much to overcome. Rowan continued to lead by low double digits most of the rest of the game; its largest edge was 16 (58-42) with 7:44 to go. A late push by NJCU in the final five minutes cut the deficit to as few as seven points (60-53).
 
The schedule gets even harder for NJCU on Monday, December 3 when the Knights head to New York, NY for a non-conference match-up against #22 ranked New York University at 7 p.m.