WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CRUISES PAST ROWAN, 84-46

GLASSBORO, N.J. (1/17/07) - Sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) scored a game-high 23 points, as Kean University cruised past host Rowan University, 84-46, in New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening.

Beyruti had five three-pointers and added five steals and four assists, as the Cougars (15-1, 5-0 NJAC) held the Profs to just 13 first-half points. For Rowan (7-8,0-4 NJAC), forward Lauren Byrne (Paulsboro, N.J.) was the lone Prof in double figures with 14 points.

The Profs scored the first eight points of the game, including six by Byrne, to take the quick 8-0 lead just 3:04 into the contest. The Cougars clamped down and scored 24 unanswered points over the next 10 minutes and would hold the Profs to just five points the rest of the half to take a 42-13 lead at halftime.

Sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) led the first-half charge with eight points, while junior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) grabbed eight first-half boards.

In the second half, the Cougars extended their lead to as many as 41 points with 6:13 left in the contest on a three-pointer by Beyruti.

Jackson added 13 points, five assists and two steals in the team's seventh straight victory, while senior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) had 11 points and seven rebounds. Cooper finished the game with a game-high 15 rebounds in 21 minutes of action off the bench.

For Rowan, junior center Katie Shaw (Wallington, N.J.) added eight points.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, January 20, when they host NJAC North Division opponent Montclair State University in Take a Kid to the Game Day. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.