March 22, 2007

NJAC SENIOR MEN EARN A 146-124 VICTORY IN THE
SECOND ANNUAL NJAC-SKYLINE SENIOR BASKETBALL GAME

ROWAN'S THOMAS BAKER NAMED THE NJAC MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Rowan guard Thomas Baker was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player as he scored a game-high 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds in leading his team to a 146-124 victory over the Skyline Conference during the second annual NJAC-Skyline Senior Game on March 21 at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. United States Merchant Marine Academy guard Brian Kelly was named the Skyline MVP after registering 22 points and six rebounds in the loss.

Six different players reached double-digits in scoring for the NJAC. William Paterson forward Samir Sanu poured in 23 points and grabbed five rebounds while also making five three-pointers in the game. Rutgers-Camden guard Dane Nicholson totaled 18 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

The Skyline Conference also had six players score in double-figures. Mount Saint Mary College guard Mike Hoyt finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Tied at 19-all with just over seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, the NJAC put together a 16-2 run over a four-minute stretch to open a 35-21 lead with 2:48 to go in the period.  Rutgers-Newark guard Philippe Slater scored eight points in the spurt. At the end of one period, the NJAC led 44-29. The NJAC extended its margin to 76-56 at halftime.

Late in the third quarter, Sanu drained a three-pointer from the corner to give the NJAC its largest lead of the game at 109-73 with 3:11 to play. The Skyline Conference slowly chipped away at the deficit and closed to within 15 points (137-122) on a three-pointer by Yeshiva University guard Ian Ribald with 1:45 remaining in the contest.

For the game, the NJAC shot 42.1 percent (51-for-121) from the floor and made 22 three-pointers. The Skyline connected on 15 three-pointers and shot 38.8 percent (47-for-121) from the field on the evening.