GLASSBORO, NJ — Senior guard Jayvard Smith (Hempstead, NY) and senior center Steve Ott (New Paltz, NY) each scored 14 points, but a 12-3 late second half run helped Rowan defeat SUNY New Paltz 84-71 this evening.
New Paltz held a 47-46 second half lead and were within two points of Rowan on three occasions; including a 62-60 deficit with 7:30 remaining. Led by forward Joe Wendel, Rowan scored 12 of the next 15 points to build a 74-63 lead at the 3:40 mark. Wendel accounted for five of his team’s 12 points during the run that sparked the Profs (12-3) to the victory.
After shooting 42 percent in the first half, the Hawks hit just 9-of-30 shots in the final 20 minutes. Rowan was 14-of-26 (.538) from the field in the second half and hit 15-of-17 free throw attempts. Earle Agee led the way for Rowan with 24 points and was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
In a first half that featured seven ties and five lead changes, New Paltz (4-8) took an 18-11 lead on a basket by Ott. Rowan answered with a 10-2 surge to take a 21-20 lead with nine minutes remaining. Rowan led 36-33 before Smith hit a three-pointer to tie it at 36. After Rowan took a 39-36 lead, senior guard Matt Daudier (S. Floral Park, NY) drained a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining to send the Hawks into the lockeroom tied at 39.
Freshman forward John Hauser (East Williston, NY) had 13 points for New Paltz. Freshman guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) added 10 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
New Paltz will play the first of three straight home games on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. against conference rival Oswego.
