Rowan’s Cantey, Baker and Williams Named to All-NJAC Men’s Basketball Team

Rowan’s Taz Cantey, Khalil Baker and Brycen Williams were named to the 2026 NJAC All-Conference Men’s Basketball Team, with Cantey earning selection to the Second Team and Baker and Williams both receiving Honorable Mention. This marks the first All-Conference honor for each of the Profs.

Cantey (Lindenwold, NJ/Eastern Regional) topped Rowan in scoring in conference games with an 18.2 average. The senior guard scored double figures in every NJAC game but one and posted 20-plus points on eight occasions. Cantey also averaged 3.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. In all games, he leads the Profs in scoring with a career-best 17.6 points per game.

Baker (Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack) made an impact in his first year at Rowan, averaging 12.0 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds in league play. The junior recorded six double-doubles in NJAC games, while hitting 49.2 percent of his field-goal attempts. Baker, who had a career-high 15 rebounds in a win at Kean, is averaging 12.0 rebounds and 7.5 points overall.

Williams (Magnolia, DE) led the Profs with 28 three-point field goals and free throw percentage of 82.8 in conference games to go along with his 15.5 scoring average. The senior guard scored double figures in 15 NJAC games with seven of them being 20 or more points. Overall, Williams is scoring a career-best 17.0 points per game and has hit a team-high 59 three-pointers.

The trio helped Rowan (10-16) finish fifth in the NJAC with a 9-9 record. The Profs defeated NJCU on Saturday and have advanced to the semifinals of the NJAC Championship, where they will visit sixth-ranked Montclair State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Rowan is seeking its first championship game appearance since 2022-23, when it won the NJAC title.

Rowan Names Casey Burford ’14 as Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University welcomes back alumnus Casey Burford to become the Profs’ head women’s volleyball coach, it was announced by Director of Athletics Shawn Tucker. She becomes the ninth coach in the program’s history.

Burford (nee Grasso) returns to her alma mater after serving as the head coach at Catholic University for the past two seasons and brings years of experience at the Division I and Division III levels as an assistant coach.

“Casey is a Rowan Prof and to welcome her back in this leadership capacity signifies a great day for Rowan University Volleyball! Casey stood out during the screening process and carried the right leadership demeanor, student-centric philosophy and volleyball aptitude to give our committee confidence that she will shepherd our young women and future Profs to even greater heights,” said Tucker. “Coach Deana (Jespersen) instituted a strong culture of family and togetherness, and I’m confident that Coach Casey will build upon that similar philosophy to lead our program to success on and off the court.”

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Williams Scores 27 as Rowan Defeats NJCU, 73-61, to Advance to the NJAC Men’s Basketball Semifinals

Brycen Williams scored a game-high 27 points to lead fifth-seeded Rowan to a 73-61 win over fourth-seeded NJCU in the quarterfinals of the NJAC Men’s Basketball Championship. The Profs advance to the semifinals where they will travel to top-ranked Montclair State on Wednesday, February 25th at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the semifinal will go on sale at noon on Sunday at NJACsports.com/tickets. Electronic tickets only will be accepted – there will be no cash sales at the venue.

Williams hit four three-pointers to lead the way while Taz Cantey scored 19 points and handed out six assists. Khalil Baker had nine points, as he shot 4-for-4, and eight rebounds.

The Profs hit eight threes in the game, shooting 42 percent, made 48 percent (11-of-23) from the field and went 19-for-32 from the foul line. Rowan limited NJCU (14-12) to just 1-of-10 from three-point range in the second half.

The teams were tied, 35-35, early in the second half. Rowan started to break away at the 13-minute mark as Williams scored nine points in a 13-1 run that gave the Profs a 60-46 lead with 6:14 remaining. NJCU got within 63-51, but that was the closest the home team would get the rest of the way, as a dunk by Khamai Orange with 3:57 to play expanded Rowan’s lead back up to 65-51.

Rowan made six free throws in the final three minutes to secure the victory.

Rowan led 22-11 in the first half, after a three-pointer by Cantey at 8:49 and then stretched it to 29-13 at 6:40 after seven consecutive points, with five from Williams. NJCU went on a 10-0 run to close within 29-23 with 3:12 remaining and the teams entered intermission with the Profs owning a 34-29 advantage.

The winner of Wednesday’s game will head to the NJAC Championship game on Saturday, February 28th at the site of the highest remaining seeded team.

Rowan Falls to Stockton in NJAC Men’s Basketball Finale, 90-70

GLASSBORO, NJ – Taz Cantey scored 22 points but Rowan fell to Stockton, 90-70 in the final regular season game for both NJAC men’s basketball teams. Rowan (9-16; 9-9) earns the fifth seed in the NJAC Championship and will travel to fourth-seeded NJCU for a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday, with tip-off at noon.

Electronic ticketing will be utilized and tickets for the quarterfinals will go on sale on Thursday, February 19 at noon. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for seniors, students and children, and can be purchased at: njacsports.com/tickets.

Cantey notched his 10th 20-plus point game of the year and fifth in the last six games. C.J. Hayes was the only other Prof in double figures with 15 points.

Stockton (15-10; 12-6) jumped out 10-2 at the start but Cantey scored nine consecutive points to give Rowan its first lead of the game, 11-10. Rowan had a 21-17 lead at 10:36 after a jumper by Ife Okebiorun and maintained the lead until Stockton forced a 31-31 tie. The teams traded leads the rest of the half until Stockton gained a 44-41 lead at halftime.

Stockton built on its first-half advantage in the second, outscoring Rowan 10-3 in the first four minutes to build up a 10-point margin, 54-44. The Ospreys expanded it to 65-48 with 13 minutes to play and took a 20-point lead, 82-62, with over four minutes remaining.

The Profs struggled from three-point range, making five, while Stockton capitalized by hitting 15 three-pointers.

Top-ranked Montclair State and TCNJ, which handed the Red Hawks their first loss of the year, earned the league’s top two seeds. Stockton is seeded third and will face sixth-seeded Kean in the other quarterfinal on Saturday.

Rowan’s Penny Kempf Announces Retirement after 30-Plus Years of Service

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to Rowan Athletics, first as a national championship-winning coach, and then as an administrator, associate athletic director Penny Kempf has announced her retirement from the University.

Kempf has been a trusted leader and mentor for countless student-athletes, coaches and colleagues and an instrumental figure in the growth and success of Rowan athletics, and especially the women’s athletics program.

After retiring from coaching, Kempf served as Rowan’s associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator and has been a steady presence in the department providing leadership, institutional knowledge and a commitment to Prof athletics.

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Rowan’s Rally Falls Short in 80-77 Loss to TCNJ in Men’s Basketball

Taz Cantey scored a team-high 24 points and spearheaded a second-half rally, but Rowan’s comeback fell short to TCNJ, 80-77, in an NJAC men’s basketball game that went down to the wire. The loss snaps the Profs five-game winning streak and drops them to 9-7 in conference play, and 9-14 overall.

Cantey scored 20 points in the second half alone and C.J. Hayes hit four three-pointers and scored 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Khalil Baker added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Profs.

Rowan took its first lead of the game with 1:51 remaining when Hayes capped off a 6-0 spurt with a layup to give the Profs a 73-72 advantage. The teams traded leads over that final two minutes, mostly on free throws, and Rowan ended up with three chances in the final 15 seconds.

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Cantey Scores 26 to Lead Rowan Men’s Basketball Over Ramapo, 73-65, on Senior Day

GLASSBORO, NJ – Taz Cantey scored a game-high 26 points and Brycen Williams had 16 as Rowan picked up a 73-65 win over Ramapo on men’s basketball Senior Day at Esby Gym. Cantey, Williams and Chris McCarron were honored prior to the game for Senior Day while the Profs earned their fifth consecutive win and improved to 9-6 in the NJAC, and 9-13 overall.

Cantey made four three-pointers and recorded his third straight game of 20-plus points and seventh of the season. Khalil Baker posted his sixth double-double of the year, and second straight, with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

A 9-0 run in the opening minutes of the second half, with four points from Williams and three from Cantey, propelled the Profs to the win. The spurt gave Rowan a 51-46 edge and the lead for good.

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Mastriano, Sikaris Lead Rowan Women’s Basketball Over Ramapo, 56-42

Jes Mastriano scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Rowan a 56-42 win over Ramapo on women’s basketball Senior Day at Esby Gym. Mastriano and classmates Charlotte Carlies and Jess McLaughlin were honored prior to the game.

The win boosts the Profs to 14-8 (10-5 NJAC) and improves their home record this season to 8-2.

Mastriano was 5-for-6 from the field to tie her season high with 16 points and Christina Sikaris scored 13 as she connected on three three-pointers. Carlies blocked three shots in the win and Haley Selmer grabbed seven rebounds.

The Profs were on target from the start, hitting 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field to run up a 34-22 lead. In the first quarter, Rowan scored 11 in a row, with four from Haley Selmer, to take a quick 17-4 lead, and closed out the period up by 19-8.

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THE MARIE RADER SERIES PRESENTS PHILLY POPS”BLOCKBUSTERS IN THE ‘BURBS” CONCERT

THE NEW PHILLY POPS SOUTH JERSEY DEBUT AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY

CONDUCTED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR CHRIS DRAGON

The Marie Rader Series is proud to present the South Jersey debut of the new Philly Pops at Rowan University. On Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m,. the Pops will present “Blockbusters in the Burbs” at Rowan’s Pfleeger Concert Hall, introducing audiences in South Jersey to the orchestra. For concert tickets and more information, visit go.rowan.edu/phillypops.

Conducted by Music Director Christopher Dragon, the orchestra will perform some of the most beloved movie scores, including features by the orchestra’s Matt Gallagher (The Incredibles), Michael Ludwig (Schindler’s List), and Ron Kerber (Catch Me if You Can). The concert will be offered in a ‘Relaxed Performance’ format to provide a sensory-friendly experience for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Pops Bassist Douglass Mapp also serves as Professor of Jazz Studies within Rowan University’s Department of Music. He will be performing with the orchestra on the 14th, putting the active performance side of his career on direct display for his students who may not have the opportunity to see his Philadelphia performances.

Following the performance, Pops’ musicians will welcome the audience in the lobby. And, as with all Marie Rader Series engagements, the Rowan campus community will enjoy artist-led opportunities beyond the stage, with Music Director Chris Dragon hosting a conducting masterclass for students, as well as an invited dress rehearsal in the hall for students and board members

“We are honored to serve an important role with the Philly Pops,” says Marie Rader Series Artistic Director Debbie Shapiro. “Not only will this celebrate the Pops’ and Chris Dragon’s Rowan debut, but we love to emphasize Philadelphia’s world-class arts organizations, inspire our students, and bring audiences from all over the region together in a very accessible way.”

For Matt Koveal, Executive Director of the Pops, this new collaboration expands the reach of their music to New Jersey. “We’re grateful to Rowan University for inviting us to perform in South Jersey,” he says. “A large part of our mission is to bring our brand of popular music into new communities and connect with the South Jersey community. Being on Rowan University’s campus, surrounded by that energy, is a great way to make this pursuit a reality.”

Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is the newly appointed Music Director of the Philly Pops. Before moving to the United States in 2015, Dragon held the inaugural position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, where he was mentored by Asher Fisch. Dragon has a versatile portfolio ranging from live-to-picture performances, including Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and a wide variety of collaborations with artists such as The Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo, and Joshua Bell. He is known for his charisma and high energy, consistently delivering unforgettable performances.

“The masterclass is an opportunity for students to cultivate a deep love and understanding of the unique elements of conducting a pops’ ensemble.” Dragon says. “I look forward to sharing my experiences with the students and performing at Rowan University.”

About the Philly Pops

Founded in 2023, Liberty Bell Pops, dba the Philly Pops, is a versatile ensemble composed of the former musicians of the pre-2023 Philly Pops with a mission to deliver authentic, exceptional musical experiences in the Philadelphia region. Gifted the name Philly Pops by the estate of Music Director Emeritus Peter Nero, the reborn Philly Pops is led by Music Director Christopher Dragon and features world-class soloists. The Pops continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse repertoire, melding tradition with an innovative approach unbound by musical genre. Liberty Bell Pops, dba The Philly Pops, has no affiliation either legally or artistically with Encore Series, Inc., the former management company of the Philly Pops. Learn more at phillypops.org.

About Marie Rader Series at Rowan University:

Because of the Marie Rader Series, arts lovers throughout New Jersey don’t have to travel to New York or Philadelphia. Focused on artistic integrity and inclusion, the series provides public presentations, community outreach, and coaching for students that reflect the innovation and quality consistent with Rowan University’s overall standards of high achievement and transformation.

Concessions will be available for purchase at all performances. Pfleeger Concert Hall is a wheelchair accessible venue. For assistance contact Rowan University’s College of the Arts Box Office via performingarts@rowan.edu or 856-256-4545.

The series is made possible in part through generous support from the Henry M. Rowan Family Foundation via the Marie Rader Memorial Fund and through funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Rowan Men’s Basketball Defeats Kean, 92-76, For Fourth Straight Win

Taz Cantey and Brycen WIlliams scored 20 points apiece to pace Rowan to a 92-76 win over Kean in an NJAC men’s basketball contest, to extend the Profs’ winning streak to four games.

Freshman Khamai Orange added 17 points as he made 6-of-7 from the field. Khalil Baker added 13 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year and Michael Pirone scored 12 points off the bench as he converted 5-of-10 field goal attempts, while Cantey shot 9-of-16 from the field and Williams connected on 4-of-7 three-pointers as Rowan shot 55.6 percent in the game.

After taking a10-point halftime lead, Rowan (8-13; 8-6) expanded on it by outscoring Kean, 13-4, in the first nine minutes of the second half, to go up, 62-48.