Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (12-5, 8-2 NJAC) shot an outstanding 55.6% (35-63) from the field in a high scoring affair game and downed from Rowan University (12-5, 6-4 NJAC) 109-99 on Wednesday night. Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) scored a career and game high 36 points to lead five Ospreys in double figures. The win extended the Osprey winning streak to six straight games.
 
As expected, the teams pushed the pace during the first 20 minutes with neither team gaining a lead of more than six points. The first half featured five ties and five lead changes.
 
The squads shot extremely well, with the Ospreys hitting 17-31 (54.8%) from the field, while taking a slim 49-45 margin into the locker room. Rowan also shot well, especially from behind the arc hitting 7-14 (50.0%).
 
Ja`Zere Noel topped the visitors with 18 points in the first half, with Gaither offsetting the Rowan forward with 17 markers for Stockton.
 
The Profs came out of the break quickly, outscoring Stockton 17-9 in the first 3:30 of the second frame to take a 65-58 with 15:58 left in the game. The Ospreys would answer with a 17-3 spurt over the next five minutes led by EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hull/Cherry Hill East) with nine points to give Stockton a 77-68 advantage with 10:43 to play in regulation and give Stockton a lead they would not relinquish.
 
The Ospreys kept the pressure on expanding the margin to 90-74 with 6:24 left in the second half as the Profs could not find the range.
 
The teams traded baskets with the Profs trying to claw back but were kept at bay by Stockton as they held on for the 109-99 win. The Ospreys broke the 100 point barrier for the first time this season and have scored 90 or more in four of their last five contests. It was the highest total in a win for Stockton since scoring 113 vs. Rutgers-Camden 11/23/2021.
 
Gaither shot an outstanding 14-23 (.609) for the game and grabbed 7 rebounds, with Matthews-Spratley scoring a career-high 24 points.
 
 DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland) and Martin Anguelov (Cape May/Wildwood Catholic) added 18 and 10 points, respectively. Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville) rounded out the quintet of scorers for Stockton with 13 points and team-highs of nine rebounds and four assists.
 
For the Profs, Noel led the team with 29 points and game-highs of 13 rebounds and three blocks. Marcellus Ross scored 22 points, 16 in the second half, while teammate Khalif Meares chipped in with 19 points, and game-highs of seven assists and three steals. Booty Butler scored 11 markers and tied Mears with three steals.
 
Stockton will take on Ramapo College in a road tilt on Saturday afternoon in Mahwah, NJ. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 pm.