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 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 sophomoreKenny 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 Jacksonwith 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.