Box Score

IMMACULATA, Pa. – Rowan University used a second-half surge to defeat Immaculata University, 71-69, on opening night of the 2011-12 men's basketball season in non-conference action at Alumnae Hall.  
 
Immaculata was paced by Jarrell Gardner's 17 points, including three three-pointers, and Nelson Torres chipped in 15 points. Jeffone Hill finished with 10 points and a team-leading eight rebounds while T.J. Klinger added 10 points and six rebounds. Todd Stokley also had eight points and William DeSantis finished with seven points and three blocks.
 
The Mighty Macs (0-1) led at halftime, 40-35, but the Profs outscored the hosts, 36-29, during the second half. Rowan (1-0) started the second stanza with a 19-2 run during the opening eight minutes to quickly take the lead, 54-42. Less than seven minutes later, Immaculata had closed the gap to one, 62-61, on a 19-8 spurt for the Mighty Macs with 5:39 to play in the game.
 
Immaculata tied the score at 65-all with 3:31 remaining, but despite Rowan taking a 69-65 lead with just over two minutes left, the contest was a nail-biter until the end. The Profs led with one minute remaining, 70-69, but a Rowan foul sent Immaculata to the foul line with the chance to potentially tie the score or take the lead. However, both Immaculata foul shots rimmed out, and the Mighty Macs ran out of time.
 
The first half saw three ties and three lead changes, but once Immaculata took the lead, 17-14, at the 10:30 mark it was not relinquished the remainder of the half. The Mighty Macs led by as many as eight (32-24) with 3:46 to play in the first stanza.
 
Rowan was led by a double-double from Jason Sofman with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Rich McNamara added 15 points, and Dee Benson had 14 points and seven rebounds.
 
Immaculata travels to the Scotty Wood Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg this weekend. The Mighty Macs play Moravian on Friday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m., and will play either Muhlenberg or SUNY Cobleskill on Saturday, Nov. 19.