GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women's basketball team did not trail after the first quarter in a 77-66 victory over visiting Rutgers-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Wednesday night.
The Profs even their record at 3-3 overall and they are 1-1 in the conference. The Scarlet Raptors are 3-3 with a 0-2 NJAC mark.
Guard Dominique Peters (so. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) led Rowan with a game and career-high 20 points. Guard Summer Crilley (sr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Center April Szymczyk (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) produced 18 points, eight boards, three assists and three blocks. She was 7-of-9 from the field. Guard/forward Alex Raring (sr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) contributed with 13 points.
Rutgers-Camden guard Fatimah Williams (so. Camden, NJ/Timber Creek Reg.) and forward/center Michelle Obasi (sr. Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic) totaled 15 points apiece. Obasi also grabbed 10 rebounds. Guard Gabby Greene (jr. Howell, NJ/Howell) scored 14 points and dished four assists. Guard/forward Cara Racobaldo (sr. Pennsauken, NJ/Camden Catholic) chipped in with 10 points and six boards. Guard Jordan Harbaugh (fr. Mantua, NJ/Clearview Reg.) corralled six rebounds.
In the opening quarter, the Scarlet Raptors were ahead 7-6. Crilley made a free throw (6:42) and hit a three (6:24) to put the Profs up 10-7. Rutgers-Camden followed with an 11-0 run to take an 18-10 lead (3:32). Williams tallied four points, Greene drilled a three and Harbaugh and Racobaldo scored two points apiece.
Rowan responded with 18 straight points at the end of the first and into the second period. The Profs had a 10-point (28-18) advantage with 8:30 on the clock. Forward Paige Caldwell (fr. Bridgeton, NJ/Woodstown) and Raring each recorded five points in the stretch. Obasi registered five consecutive points to cut the deficit to three (32-29) at the 4:21 mark. With the score 35-31, Rowan ended the half with an 8-2 surge for a 43-33 lead at the break. Obasi had 11 points in the first half followed by Szymczyk's 10.
The Profs put up the first six points of the third to increase their lead to 16 (49-33) with 7:53 left. It was their largest lead of the evening. The Scarlet Raptors had a 9-2 rally to close the gap to nine (51-42) with 4:49 remaining. Rowan was ahead 59-49 at the end of the stanza. Racobaldo's layup got Rutgers-Camden within six (59-53) with 9:37 to go. It was the closest margin for the rest of the contest.
Next, the Profs travel to William Paterson University on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m.