GLASSBORO, NJ – Stockton took the lead in the final minute en route to a 76-73 win over Rowan in the NJAC men's basketball opener for both teams at Esby Gym, which marked the first loss of the season for the Profs (3-1; 0-1 NJAC).
 
Marcellus Ross had a season-high 25 points by tying his career-high with eight three-pointers, in 16 attempts. Ja'Zere Noel recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds for his third double-double of the year while Stockton's D.J. Campbell led all scorers with 28 points.
 
In a back-and-forth game typical of the rivalry, Rowan fought back from a 69-60 deficit with four minutes to play as Ross scored four straight, Jamir Spivey had a free throw and Noel scored an inside bucket. With 1:45 left, Chris McCarron on a three-pointer from the corner to tie the game at 70-70.
 
One free throw by Campbell at 1:02 gave Stockton (3-2; 1-0 NJAC)  the lead for good, 71-70, and Martin Anguelov hit a short jumper after running the clock down to 19.3, to increase it to 73-70. Stockton would make three more free throws in the final five seconds, and Ross connected on a three with :02 left to provide the final margin.
 
The Ospreys for the majority of the first half, getting off to a 9-0 start with a 12-3 margin being their biggest. The Profs took their first lead of the game, 32-31, at 4:58 after a pair of free throws by Booty Butler. A three-pointer by Ross and jumper from Josh Wright in the final two minutes helped the Profs hold a 42-39 lead at halftime.
 
Rowan led by four points early in the second half, 46-42, but Stockton outscored the home team, 19-6, over the next eight minutes to take its biggest lead of the game, 61-52, with 9:03 remaining. Stockton held onto the nine-point lead until a three from Wright at 6:24 started to bring the Profs back.
 
The Profs shot just 9-of-30 from the field in the second half, while Stockton converted 14-of-32 but had 20 turnovers.
 
It marked the first meeting for the teams since the 2022 NJAC Championship, won by Rowan.
 
Rowan heads on the road after the holiday, participating in the CNU/Holiday Inn Invitational in Newport News, VA. The Profs will face Mary Washington on Saturday, November 25, and then face top-ranked Christopher Newport on Sunday.

Rowan hosted "Demetrius Poles Night" to honor the memory of the Profs' former coach and player, with his family in attendance, while also supporting Bringing Hope Home - a non-profit organization that provides financial and emotional assistance to local families who have a loved one fighting cancer. Donations are currently being accepted in Poles' memory for Bringing Hope Home's Light of Hope Family Program, which helps paying household bills for those families. DONATE