GMC's Anthony Williams led the Griffins with 20 points and 10 boards for his first double-double of the year. Junior Chris DelBrocco added 13 as Gwynedd searches for its first win on the season.
Byrnes scored 22 of his 30 points in the second half. He also hit on 13-of-15 tries from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds. Teammate Tim Bowser chipped in 14 points for Rowan (2-1).
The first half featured see-saw action as the two teams combined for four lead changes and three ties. After two Francis Bowe free throws to pull the Griffins (0-4) within 31-30, Rowan closed the half on an 11-4 run to take a 42-34 lead at the break. The senior finished with nine points.
Back-to-back three-pointers from DelBrocco midway in the second half helped give Gwynedd its first lead of the stanza at 52-49 at the 12 minute mark. The Griffins would lead by as much as six after a Prof technical foul and four ensuing free throws, making it a 56-50 GMC lead.
Brynes helped restore the lead for good with his third three-pointer of the game with 8:48 remaining to give Rowan a 60-58 edge. The Griffins kept it close but could only hit two field goals in the last 2:50 in the game.
Gwynedd was 23-of-55 (41.8%) from the field while Rowan was 22-of-51 (43.1%). Both teams combined for 49 turnovers while the Profs held a 39-30 rebound edge.
Newspaper Box Score Rowan University vs Gwynedd-Mercy College 11/28/05 7 p.m. at Griffin Complex Gwynedd Valley, Pa. At Griffin Complex Gwynedd Valley, Pa. ROWAN UNIVERSITY 78, GWYNEDD-MERCY COLLEGE 72 ROWAN UNIVERSITY (2-1) Matt Byrnes 7-19 13-15 30; Tim Bowser 3-6 8-10 14; Billy Care 3-9 2-7 9; Steve Thomas 2-3 4-6 8; Aaron Spellman 2-3 1-2 7; Dwayne Reevey 2-5 0-0 4; Rahim Shiver 1-1 0-2 2; Kevin Darby 1-1 0-0 2; Will Baumgardner 1-3 0-0 2; Hendrick Salomon 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-51 28-42 78. GWYNEDD-MERCY COLLEGE (0-4) Anthony Williams 6-16 8-8 20; Chris DelBrocco 4-8 2-3 13; Rick Haas 4-8 1-3 9; Francis Bowe 2-4 4-5 9; Jack Forth 2-3 1-2 6; Frank Barder 2-6 0-1 5; Dave McFadden 1-2 2-2 4; Tom Keenan 1-2 0-0 3; Rashid Santiago 1-3 1-2 3; Haven Wroten 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 23-55 19-26 72. Rowan University.............. 42 36 - 78 Gwynedd-Mercy College......... 34 38 - 72 3-point goals-Rowan University 6-18 (Matt Byrnes 3-8; Aaron Spellman 2-3; Billy Care 1-4; Steve Thomas 0-1; Tim Bowser 0-2), Gwynedd-Mercy College 7-18 (Chris DelBrocco 3-6; Francis Bowe 1-2; Tom Keenan 1-2; Frank Barder 1-5; Jack Forth 1-2; Rick Haas 0-1). Fouled out--Rowan University-None, Gwynedd-Mercy College-Tom Keenan; Rick Haas. Rebounds-Rowan University 39 (Matt Byrnes 9; Rahim Shiver 9), Gwynedd-Mercy College 30 (Anthony Williams 10). Assists-Rowan University 13 (Steve Thomas 5), Gwynedd-Mercy College 15 (Rick Haas 5). Total fouls-Rowan University 20, Gwynedd-Mercy College 28. A-225