GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA -- Nicole Mallard scored 11 of her game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to help lift Rowan to a 79-72 victory at Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday.

For Mallard, the 27 points ties a career high as the Profs pick up its third win in a row. Rookie Ny'emah Middleton added 15 points, all coming in the second half.

Rowan trailed 22-18 after the first but kept things close in the second. The Griffins' Kelly Owens hit a three late in the quarter to give the home team a 35-31 advantage at the half.

The Profs opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run. Middleton's triple gave Rowan a 44-37 edge midway in the stanza. After Gwynedd reclaimed the lead, Middleton struck again before the buzzer with a driving layup to pull the Profs within 57-53 going into the fourth.

The Griffins opened up a 64-55 score early in the final period before Rowan started its rally. Mallard stuck from downtown to get within two and later another big three from Kristina Johnson made it a one-point game with 3:31 left.

Middleton and Mallard connected on back-to-back three's to swing the momentum for good as Rowan led 75-68 with just over two minutes to go. The Profs were able to go 8-of-10 at the free throw line in the fourth to help cement the outcome.

Rowan won the battle on the glass, 48-43, with Ayanna Johnson pulling down 13 rebounds and Eliana Santana grabbing eight. Mallard also led the team with four steals and added three assists, along with Santana and Grace Marshall. Danielle McCurdy blocked three shots.

Owens finished with 16 points while Lynzie Eggers had 21 to lead the Griffins. Cayla Sharkey pulled down a team-best 12 boards for Gwynedd.

The Profs resume action on Friday December 30th with a contest at #5 (D3hoops.com) Christopher Newport.