Kean Pulls Away From Rowan, 59-49

UNION, N.J. (1/7/09) - Freshman guard Michael Oglesby (Neptune, N.J.) scored a career-high 15 points on the strength of four three-pointers to lead the Kean University men's basketball team to a 59-49 victory over Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Wednesday evening.

Oglesby (pictured right) knocked down 4-of-5 from long range for the Cougars (7-7, 1-2 NJAC), while senior guard Billy Care (Linwood, N.J.) had 13 points to lead the Profs (7-7, 1-2 NJAC).

In a back-and-forth first half that saw nine lead changes and seven ties and neither team lead by more than three points, the Cougars took a two-point lead into the lockerroom at 26-24.  Three different Cougars scored four points, with sophomore Jonathan Jones (Linden, N.J.) posting four points and three rebounds off the bench to lead the way.  Care had eight points for Rowan in the first half. 

In the second half, Rowan took their last lead at 30-28 on a three-pointer by junior forward Tyson Hartnett (Medford, N.J.) just 3:48 into the half, before the Cougars went on a 12-2 run to regain the lead for good. 

Rowan trimmed the lead back to three points on a pair of free throws by junior guard Allen Pritchett (Camden, N.J.), however Oglesby had back-to-back three-pointers for Kean to push the lead back out to eight points at 49-41.  The Profs would pull no closer than five points the rest of the way and sophomore Akinwande Oshodi (Florence, N.J.) hit a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left to seal the double-digit victory.

Oshodi (pictured left) had a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds,  junior Dean Hughes (Pemberton Twp., N.J.) added 11 points and Jones finished with a game-high 11 rebounds. 

For Rowan, Hartnett had seven points and seven rebounds.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, January 10, when they host Ramapo College in NJAC action at 3 p.m.