SALISBURY, MD -- Rowan had its three-game winning streak come to an end as an interception on the final drive ended a late comeback attempt as the Profs fell, 28-23 at Salisbury Saturday afternoon in an NJAC matchup.

Receiver John Maldonado totaled 11 catches for 120 yards, both game highs, as well as a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Husni threw three TD passes on 17-of-31 passing for 212 yards.

Trailing 28-17 in the fourth quarter, Husni found Maldonado for his second score with 1:40 remaining to cut it to a one-score game. The Prof defense was able to get the ball back in the hands of the offense after a punt with 1:40 remaining in the contest. However on a 4th and long play from their own 27, Husni's pass was intercepted by the Sea Gulls' Charles Barley to help seal the outcome.

Salisbury was able to put together 345 yards on the ground on the day. Joe Bildstein ran for 188 yards on 26 carries with a score. Teammate Dario Belizare added 58 rushing yards. Quarterback Ben Hutchins attempted six passes with three completions. Two of those passes went to Hunter Cleaver on pair of touchdowns.

Defensively, Ahmad Gantt had a game-high nine tackles and added two for losses. Jason Blanks and Dwight Wilkerson each had six stops. For Wilkerson, the six tackles were a personal best.

The Profs struck first, getting a 18-yard TD pass from Husni to Terry Carlstrom to cap the opening offensive possession. Carlstrom also had a 46-yard reception on the drive as well. The sophomore ended the day with four grabs for 68 yards. The home team countered with its first score on the ensuing drive as Cleaver caught a 25-yard score on a second and four. Later in the quarter, Belizaire recovered his own fumble on a four-yard run to put the Sea Gulls up 14-7.

Rowan caught a big break after Maldonado's four-yard TD to start the second. Eric Bryant recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball back to the Profs at the Salisbury 18.  The turnover led to a 30-yard field goal from Jake Hurler and more importantly gave Rowan a 17-14 lead. Another big turnover on the first play after the kickoff put the ball back the Profs' possession, this time as Miles Cook came up with a the ball after a Hutchins fumble at the Salisbury 20. The Profs were unable to cash in on the turnover as the offense was stopped short on a fourth down play deep in Sea Gull territory. Rowan went into the locker room up 17-14 at the half.

Late in the third quarter, Cleaver caught his second TD pass to put Salisbury back on top. After a three and out, the Sea Gulls struck again this time with Bildstein ending a 10-play, 52-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown that looked to put the Profs on the ropes.

But Husni steered the offense 76 yards on 11 plays, ending with Maldonado's second TD reception to cut it to 28-23. Looking to cut the deficit to three points, Husni's pass to Maldonado on the two-point conversion was incomplete.

Rowan will welcome Montclair State on Saturday in a conference clash here at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium with a 1 p.m. kickoff.