Box Score

GLASSBORO, N.J. - Rutgers University-Newark methodically pulled away from Rowan University in the second half to post a key 64-53 New Jersey Athletic Conference win in Esby Gym and earn a home game in the first round of the upcoming league championship tournament.

Junior forwards Jordan McDaniel and David Azoroh and sophomore guard Darrian Collins had six points apiece to fuel a 26-10 second-half run which staked the visitors to a 58-37 lead with 7:15 remaining. The Profs (15-9, NJAC 9-8) never got closer than nine points in the closing seconds before a dunk by McDaniel ended the scoring.

Both the Raiders (16-8, NJAC 10-7) and Rowan secured NJAC Championship Tournament berths by the end of the day as the 6-team field was determined with a game left on the regular-season slate. The Raiders and The College of New Jersey (14-10, NJAC 10-7), which split their regular-season series, will host opening round games in the playoffs on February 21 against either Rowan or New Jersey City (11-12, NJAC 9-8) if they win their regular season final contests. Rutgers-Newark swept NJCU and Rowan to give them a tie-breaker edge over each school. Results of Wednesday night's final games will determine the seeding. Richard Stockton (19-5, NJAC 13-4) and William Paterson (19-5, 13-4) have secured opening round byes.

McDaniel finished with a team-high 16 points plus eight rebounds and two assists while senior guard Chris Foreman, who chipped in five points during the decisive run, hit four treys on his way to 14 points for the Raiders.

Azoroh hit all five of his shots from the floor and dropped in three of four free throws to tally 13 points while adding four rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocked shots. Senior swingman Christian Garcia hauled down a game-high nine rebounds while notching eight points and three assists.

Senior center Elvis Hodzic collared eight rebounds to help Rutgers-Newark dominate the boards, 43-29, while senior guard Doze Ikwuegbu contributed seven points, two rebounds and two steals. Collins drained 3-point jumpers on his only shots of the game while posting four rebounds.

Senior forward Mike Simpson led all scorers with 17 points for the Profs while senior forward Daniel Waynick totaled 10. Junior guard Kris O'Connor had eight points to go along with a game-high four assists for Rowan.

The win gave the Raiders a sweep of the season series with the Profs.

Garcia, Ikwuegbu, Foreman, Hodzic and Allen Kuiper will be honored on Senior Night prior to tip off of the regular-season finale against Ramapo College in The Golden Dome Arena. The NJAC doubleheader starts off with the women's matchup at 6 o'clock. The men will follow at 8.