GLASSBORO (NJ) – Rowan University ended the game with a 7-0 run as the host Profs spoiled Delaware Valley University's season opener with a 75-68, non-conference win.
A young Aggie squad (two seniors, one junior, one sophomore, eight freshmen) hit the court for the first time in 2015-16 and in the new four-quarter format. A layup by sophomore Sam Foy with 1:54 remaining pulled them into a 68-68 tie, the 13th deadlock of the game.
However the rest of the contest belonged to the undefeated Profs (3-0), starting with a Valerie Garofolo free throw 40 seconds after Foy's basket. DelVal was then called for a 10-second backcourt violation and Kate Matthews followed with a layup for a three-point Rowan advantage.
Aggie freshman Danielle Skedzielewski had an open look at a game-tying 3-pointer with 33 seconds left, but the shot was just off the mark. Kaitlin Schullstrom followed with four free throws in the final 13 seconds to give the Profs their seven-point win.
Neither team led by more than six points until the very end. Rowan had an early 9-3 lead in the first quarter when DelVal scored 11 straight to go ahead by five. Senior Eireann Anastasi and Foy led the charge with five and four points respectively.
The Aggies led by four, 18-14, at the end of the quarter and the teams were tied at 31-31 at halftime. A back-and-forth third quarter saw neither team with more than a one-possession lead for the entire 10 minutes. The trend continued into the fourth until the late Rowan run gave the home team the victory.
DelVal, which held a 46-44 advantage on the boards, turned its 18 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Anastasi, a two-time all-conference honoree, finished with a double-double as the guard had 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists and three steals. Foy nearly had her first career double-double as she notched 12 points, nine boards and three blocked shots. Skedzielewski had 15 points and eight rebounds while fellow rookie Brianna Rivello contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Senior Kelsey Kilpatrick drained a trio of 3-pointers for nine points in 16 minutes.
Schullstrom finished with a game-high 16 points while Matthews added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Garofolo and Ashanti Bishop notched 11 points apiece.
The Aggies will take part in the Scotty Wood Tournament at Muhlenberg College this weekend, starting with Friday's contest against SUNY Cortland.