Game Highlights

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan men's basketball put together a strong second half to defeat TCNJ, 83-65, at Esby Gym, while extending its winning streak to eight and improving to 12-0 in the NJAC. Ja'Zere Noel had 20 points, Josh Wright scored 17 and Marcellus Ross added 13 to lead the 16-3 Profs.
 
Holding a 40-39 lead at halftime, the Profs outscored TCNJ, 12-5, early in the second half to go ahead, 52-45. After Wright was fouled on a three-pointer, he converted all three shots and started a 13-2 run over the course of eight minutes that allowed the Profs to build up an 18-point margin, 69-51, with 5:45 remaining.
 
The Profs took their first 20-point lead of the game, 73-53, on a jumper by D'Andre Vilmar at 4:05 and then coasted the rest of the way.
 
Rowan's defense stymied TCNJ (7-12; 6-6) in the second half as the Lions shot only 30 percent from the field after hitting 57 percent in the first half. The Profs also outscored TCNJ, 46-23, in the second half despite missing all six of their three-point attempts.
 
TCNJ was hot at the start, making seven of its first 13 shots to take a 20-14 lead midway through the first half. Trailing 29-25, Rowan scored nine straight, which included a dunk by Vilmar and a three-pointer from Ross, to take a 34-29 lead.
 
Rowan, which entered the game as the nation's leader in free throws made (21) and free throw attempted (29), made 15-of-21, led by Wright, who was 9-for-10 from the line.
 
Rowan heads on the road on Saturday for the second meeting with Ramapo this year, with a 1 p.m. tip-off.