STOCKTON EDGES ROWAN 80-77

Darnell McCargo

Boxscore

Richard Stockton (17-7, 11-1 NJAC) survived a last-shot scare and held on to defeat Rowan (11-13, 4-8) 80-77 and sweep the season series. The contest was tied nine times and also featured eight lead changes.

The first half was tense as the teams traded baskets until Stockton ran off nine straight points to take a 31-22 lead. The Profs showed that they weren’t done as they answered with eight in a row to go to the break down just one at 31-30.

Stockton was led by Darnell McCargo (Woodlynne/ Collingswood) who scored nine of his career-high 21 points before the half.

Rowan came out of the locker room on fire, scoring 18 points early and taking a five-point lead at 48-43. Stockton fought back to take a 10-point advantage at 78-68 with 2:44 remaining but once again could not shake Rowan.

The Profs scored seven straight points to close within 78-75. After two free throws by DiAndre Brown (Sicklerville/Camden Co. Tech) made it 80-75, Kendall White’s layup with just 19 seconds left brought the score to 80-77.

Stockton then missed two free throws, setting up Phil Jackson’s potential game-tying three-point attempt that fell off the rim at the buzzer as the Ospreys prevailed by three.

Brown, Stockton’s only senior, led the Ospreys with 22 points in his last regular season home game. McCargo added his 21 points to go with a career-high 13 rebounds. Ibn Moye (Toms River/Central Regional) scored 15 points, with nine coming after the break. Bill McDonough (Spring Lake/St. Rose) chipped in with 14 counters for Stockton.

Jackson led all scorers with 25 points for Rowan, closely followed by Rich McNamara with 20. White and Jason Rosenberg added 10 points apiece with Rosenberg dishing out a game-high eight assists.