JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University men's basketball team fell to Rowan University, 74-69, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup on Saturday, January 24, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

The Gothic Knights (12-6, 8-3 NJAC) shot an efficient 51.9 percent (27-for-52) from the field, including 36.4 percent (4-for-11) from three-point range, and 64.7 percent (11-for-17) from the free throw line. Rowan (5-13, 5-6 NJAC) finished the contest shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) overall, 38.9 percent (7-for-18) from beyond the arc, and 88.2 percent (15-for-17) from the charity stripe.

NJCU held advantages in second-chance points (16-15), bench points (19-11), and points in the paint (38-32), while Rowan narrowly edged the Gothic Knights in points off turnovers, 20-19.

Senior Bakhi Rogers-Robinson (Orange, N.J./West Caldwell Tech) led all scorers with 30 points on an outstanding 13-of-18 shooting performance, adding four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. The outing marked his second 30-point game of the season. Junior Jayden Brown (Teaneck, N.J./Immaculate Conception) contributed 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, along with two assists, one steal, and one rebound. Donovan Crawford (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) pulled down a team-high seven rebounds to go with six points, three assists, two blocks, and one steal, while Raymond Ezike (Newark, N.J./Westside) added six points, four rebounds, and three blocks.

Rowan placed four players in double figures, led by Bycen Williams' 23 points, which included four three-pointers and a team-high two steals. Taz Cantey finished with 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Khamai Orange posted 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

The opening half remained tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than two possessions. Rogers-Robinson paced all scorers with 11 first-half points as NJCU shot 42.9 percent (12-for-28) from the field and 50 percent (3-for-6) from three-point range. Brown added eight points in the half. Rowan shot 43.3 percent (13-for-30) overall and carried a 33-29 advantage into halftime, its largest lead of the half.

Rowan opened the second half with an 8-0 run to build a 41-29 lead, but the Gothic Knights quickly responded with a 6-0 run of their own, including two baskets from Rogers-Robinson, to cut the deficit to 41-35. At the 13:55 mark, the Profs extended their lead to double digits for the first time following a 7-0 run, making it 50-39.

NJCU chipped away at the margin and pulled within one at 55-54 with 9:14 remaining after a series of free throws from Rogers-Robinson, Brince Shelton (Brooklyn, N.Y./George Westinghouse), and Mekhi Philogene (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bright School). Following a Rowan three-pointer, Rogers-Robinson scored three straight points and Marc Brown Jr. knocked down a jumper to give NJCU its first lead of the half at 59-58. A jumper from Rogers-Robinson pushed the Gothic Knights' advantage to 61-58 with 4:39 remaining.

Rowan answered with a decisive 11-3 run to regain control, taking a 67-65 lead with 1:45 left on the clock. The Profs closed out the game from the free throw line to secure the 74-69 NJAC victory.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, January 24, as they travel to Rutgers-Newark for an NJAC matchup scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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