KEAN FALLS TO ROWAN IN NJAC ACTION, 71-63

UNION, N.J. (01/30/08) - Senior guard Lamar Wright (Galloway, N.J.) scored a game-high 23 points, however the Rowan University men's basketball team put three in double figures en-route to a 71-63 victory over host Kean University in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening.

Senior guard Matt Byrnes (Mays Landing, N.J.) finished with 21 points to lead the Profs (13-5, 3-4 NJAC), while rookie Keith Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) chipped in with 18 points for Kean (6-13, 1-6 NJAC).

In a first half that featured seven lead changes and five ties, the Cougars led by as many as three points (21-18) on a three-pointer by Williams with 6:16 remaining.  The Profs closed out the half on a 12-4 run to take their largest lead of the half heading into the break with the eight-point cushion, 35-27.

For the Cougars, Wright (pictured right) scored 10 points, while Williams added seven points, two assists and two steals.  Byrnes and freshman guard Michael Farrow (Whitesboro, N.J.) each scored 11 points to lead the Profs. 

The Cougars regained the lead early in the second half and would extend it to three points on a lay-up by Wright just 4:56 into the half.  Rowan regained the lead for good, as Farrow scored four straight points, including the go-ahead lay-up with 14:26 remaining for the 42-41 lead. 

After a 10-2 Rowan run extended the lead to as many as nine points (52-43) with 11:10 left, the Cougars trimmed the deficit back to a one-possession game with just over three minutes remaining.  A lay-up by sophomore Levar Tilly (Jersey City, N.J.) with 3:06 left pulled the Cougars to within 60-57, before Rowan converted 10-of-11 free throws in the final 1:35 of the game to seal the eight point victory. 

Wright had a solid all-around game, finishing with team-highs of seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.  Williams (pictured left) knocked down four three-pointers and had six rebounds and three assists, while rookie Jonathan Jones (Linden, N.J.) hit 5-of-8 shots from the floor to reach double figures with 10 points.

The Profs held a commanding advantage at the free throw line, hitting 26-of-37 shots, while the Cougars only managed eight trips to the charity stripe, converting six times. 

Farrow added 17 points, hitting 6-of-9 shots from the floor, and three steals off the bench, while junior guard Kevin Darby (Atco, N.J.) added 10 points. 

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, February 2, in NJAC action at Ramapo College.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.