GLASSBORO, NJ – Senior forward David Cherry (Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic HS) had 17 points, four assists and four rebounds to help Rutgers-Newark grab a 60-54 New Jersey Athletic Conference win over Rowan in Esby Gym.

NCAA Box Score & Play-by-Play

The Scarlet Raiders (12-7, NJAC 5-2) also got 16 points and a game-high five assists from junior point guard Tim Smith (Mullica Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) who teamed with Cherry and junior guard James Johnson (Summit, NJ/Summit) to give the Raiders a 10-for-22 accuracy mark from beyond the arc. Cherry notched a career-high five 3-pointers on 11 tries. Smith hit three of eight. Johnson made two of three.

Junior forward Phil Barnes (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) collared a game-high nine rebounds to go along with 11 points as he narrowly missed his third double-double of the season. His board work helped the Raiders dominate the rebounding, 31-20.

The Raiders pushed a 25-21 halftime lead to 39-27 on a trey by Cherry with 15:42 remaining. Rowan twice cut the lead to four points. But, a Smith 3-pointer with 2:50 left gave Rutgers-Newark a 53-46 lead that grew to nine in the final minute of play.

Senior guard Aaron Spellman led the Profs with a dozen points while senior forward Tyson Hartnett chipped in 10 points and a team-high five rebounds.

The win gives the Raiders a 4-0 mark against NJAC South Division competition with only a battle against defending conference champion Richard Stockton left on the agenda.  Rutgers-Newark is 1-2 in North Division play with fives contest remaining  against schools in the 5-team grouping.

Rutgers-Newark hosts New Jersey City in an NJAC doubleheader on Wednesday in The Golden Dome. The women tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 7:30.