Game Highlights

GLASSBORO, NJ – Connor Dickerson scored 22 points and Ja'Zere Noel had 20 as Rowan held off NJCU, 82-73, in NJAC men's basketball action at Esby Gym. The victory was head coach Joe Crispin's 100th in six seasons at Rowan, including a 10-3 record (6-0 NJAC) this year.
 
Dickerson converted 5-of-7 from the field, a perfect 4-for-4 from the three-point range, and went 8-for-10 from the foul line. Noel hit 7-of-13 field goals and Marcellus Ross added 15 points for the Profs, including four three-pointers. Josh Wright came off the bench to chip in 14 points nd Andrew Seager had a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
Rowan led from the start and put together 15 consecutive points in the opening minutes, including seven points from Noel, to take a commanding 17-5 lead at 13:08. The Profs kept rolling and held a 22-6 lead at 9:44 after a three-pointer from Wright.
 
Trailing 24-10, NJCU went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 24-19 with under five minutes left in the half. Wright helped build the Profs' lead up to 31-19 with five straight points while back-to-back jumpers by Ross late in the half gave Rowan a 39-26 halftime advantage.
 
NJCU (7-6; 2-4 NJAC) chipped away in the second half, using a quick 7-0 run at the start of the half to pull within 41-33. After Rowan took a 53-35 lead on a three by Ross, the Gothic Knights outscored the Profs, 14-4, to cut their deficit to 57-49.
 
Rowan answered with a 10-0 run, helped by four free throws from Wright, to gain a more comfortable 67-49 lead with eight minutes left. The Profs took their biggest lead of the game, 70-50, on a three by Dickerson at 7:15 and Rowan maintained control the rest of the way although NJCU was able to come within nine points, 79-70, with :58 remaining.
 
In the second half, the Profs made 57 percent from the field and hit 71 percent of their three-point attempts, converting 5-of-7.
 
The Profs get to stay at home for their next contest, a first-place conference battle with undefeated Kean (13-0; 6-0 NJAC) on Saturday, January 7. Game time is 3 p.m. at Esby Gym