GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan men's basketball team rallied and went down to the wire against Swarthmore, but George Visconti hit a three-pointer with :19 left to give the visiting Garnet a 71-70 victory in the season opener for both teams at Esby Gym.

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Rowan newcomer Ja'Zere Noel hit for a team-high 18 points in his debut with Marcellus Ross picking up 14 points and eight rebounds, and D'Andre Vilmar notching 10 points on 5-for-10 shooting.
 
Rowan (0-1) trailed by 11 points early in the second half but chipped away at the Swarthmore lead. Down 61-55, Rowan scored seven straight, with five from Noel, to take the lead, 62-61 with 4:43 remaining. Swarthmore went up by 68-64 before the Profs used free throws from Ross and Connor Dickerson, and a driving layup by Andrew Seager to tie the game, 68-68, with 1:48 left.
 
Ross hit two free throws at 1:23 to give Rowan a 70-68 lead and after a field goal miss by both teams, Visconti connected on the game-winning three. Rowan had a few more chances in the final seconds but couldn't convert.
 
Swarthmore (1-0) took control of the game in the first half as the Garnet built up a 14-point lead, 36-22, with 3:41 to play. Ross and Dickerson helped Rowan get it to a 39-29 deficit by halftime.
 
Both teams struggled from three-point range in the season opener, with Swarthmore going 9-for-28 and Rowan hitting just 3-for-19.
 
The Profs will next go on the road for games at Marymount (Nov. 15) and Wesleyan (Nov. 19).