GLASSBORO, N.J. (1/4/12) – Rowan
University scored five of the game's final six points to
record the 64-60 win over Kean University in New Jersey Athletic
Conference men's basketball South Division action on
Wednesday evening.
Kendall White hit three free throws in the final 20
seconds of the game to seal the victory, as he finished with a
game-high 16 points for Rowan (6-7, 1-2 NJAC). Sophomore
guard Michael Burton finished with 13 points for
the Cougars (2-11, 1-2 NJAC).
Trailing 59-51, the Cougars battled back with eight straight points
to tie the game at 59-59, as junior Anthony
Gibson (pictured left) capped the run with a pair of
free throws with just 1:49 left. The Cougars were unable to
regain the lead however, as Rich McNamara gave Rowan the
lead for good on the jumper with 38 seconds left and White knocked
down 3-of-4 free throws to seal the win.
Kean took an early 11-3 lead just 4:31 into the game, as Gibson
had four points and sophomore Kenny Pace knocked
down a three-pointer for the early eight-point lead. Rowan
pulled to within 21-20 midway through the half and would take a
25-23 lead on a three-pointer by Phil Jackson with 7:45
remaining. The Cougars regained the lead on a jumper by
Burton and would take a 33-29 lead at halftime.
Burton and senior Leigh Keenan each had eight
points for Kean, while Steve Secula had eight points for
the Profs.
Rowan scored the first eight points of the second half to regain
the lead, as the game had three ties and three lead changes in the
first 11 minutes of the half. The Profs led by as many as
four points before Kean used a 9-0 run to erase a four point
deficit and build a 47-42 lead with 10:43 remaining. The
Profs answered with 11 unanswered points to regain the lead and
take 53-27 lead, as Jackson capped the run with a three-pointer
with 8:23 left in the game.
Burton halted the run with a jumper, however McNamara scored
four straight points for the 57-49 lead with less than seven
minutes left and would lead 59-51 before the Cougars battled back
to tie the game one final time.
Keenan finished with 10 points off the bench, while sophomore
Kyle Latorre had 10 rebounds for Kean.
Jackson and Jason Sofman added 11 points for the
Profs.
Kean battles NJAC North Division rival Montclair State
University on Saturday, January 7. Tip-off is 1 p.m.