New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE

GLASSBORO, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rowan University shot 50 percent in the first half and sank 11 three-pointers in all, as the Profs never trailed and shot themselves past New Jersey City University, 74-56, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball game on January 19 at Esby Gymnasium.
 
Rowan (12-5, 6-5 NJAC) swept a season series from NJCU (7-11, 2-9 NJAC) for the first time since winning both meetings during the 1999-00 campaign as the Profs shot 52.4 percent from three-point range (11-21), including 53.8 percent in the first half when the hosts shot 7-of-13 from long range and 14-of-28 overall from the floor.
 
NJCU was just 9-of-33 (.273) from the field in the first half and fell behind by 18 points at the break, 45-27, and were never able to recover in the second half. The Knights were 1-of-14 from three-point range (.071) and produced an assist on only four of 21 made baskets.
 
In defeat, four-time New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week KHALID MUHAMMAD (Orange, NJ/Orange) scored in double figures for the 13^th time in 18 games the season and led the club for the 12^th time as he tallied 11 points with four rebounds and two steals.
 
Newcomer and rookie guard RONDRE KELLY (Union, NJ/Malcolm X. Shabazz) added his third double-figure effort in five games as a Knight, netting 10 points, a game-high seven rebounds (five offensive) and three steals. Freshman guard BRENT BURGESS, JR. (Roselle, NJ/Dickinson) finished with nine points (4-10 FG).
 
Rowan had four players score in double figures. Senior guard Kendall White (Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) hit half of his shots (5-10) and finished with a game-high 14 points in 19 minutes, including 3-of-4 from three-point distance. Senior forward Brendan Cox (Lindenwold, NJ/Highland Regional), who scored 21 in the first meeting between the schools on December 1, added 13 points (5-11 FG), six rebounds, four blocks and two assists in 23 minutes before being ejected as part of a double technical with 10:38 left in the second half.
 
Also for Rowan, junior guard Rich McNamara (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) delivered 13 points (3-9 FG), including 3-of-6 three-pointers, with seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Senior guard Fred Battee (Westville, NJ/Deptford) added 11 points (4-6 FG), making 3-of-5 long-range attempts while junior point guard Jason Rosenberg (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley), already the school's all-time leader in assists, dished seven assists and three steals.
 
Rowan jumped out to a 9-0 lead—including five points from Battee—and moved in front 14-1 after White hit a three 5:30 into the game. McNamara sank back-to-back threes at the 13:44 and 13:04 marks for a 20-4 cushion. Another three by McNamara made it 26-10 (10:28) before Rowan's sixth three of the half pushed the lead to 19, 29-10 (9:01).
 
Rowan's largest first half lead was twice 21 points (36-15 and 40-19) before taking an 18-point advantage to the break at 45-27. The Profs were not challenged in the second half and led by as many as 29 points, 63-34, with 8:52 to go. Rowan scored the final three points of the first half and opened the second period on a 9-2 run to push the lead to 25. NJCU scored nine of the final 11 points of the game to make the final result closer.
 
NJCU is back in action for the first time since January 12 when it hosts Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday, January 23 at 8 p.m. R-N won the first meeting in Newark on November 28, 51-39.