JERSEY CITY, NJ – Marcellus Ross scored a game-high 33 points and Ja'Zere Noel had the Profs' final six points of the extra period as Rowan edged New Jersey City, 114-111, in overtime, in NJAC men's basketball action. It was the second consecutive overtime game for Rowan, which improves to 7-4 and 3-3 in the conference.
 
Ross connected on seven three-pointers for his second straight 30-point plus effort, as he shot 11-for-24 from the floor. Noel finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds and Khalif Meares scored 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting.  
 
A three-pointer by Ross had given Rowan a 100-96 lead with 1:20 to play but NJCU (2-8; 1-3) forced overtime on four straight points by Hakeem Wilson, who hit a three-pointer at :39 and then one free throw at :04 to tie the game at 100-100.
 
In overtime, NJCU took a 106-103 lead, but five straight points from the Profs gave them a 108-106 lead with 1:11 remaining. Noel's three-point play with 37 seconds left were the go-ahead points for the Profs and he iced the win with a pair of free throws at :16. NJCU had a few more chances but managed just two free throws in the final eight seconds.
 
After owning double-digit leads in the first half, Rowan's biggest margin was seven points in the second half. NJCU went on a 9-0 run midway through the half to take a 75-71 lead and although the Profs scored five straight, the teams would continue to trade leads the rest of the way, including in the final three minutes of regulation.
 
In the first half, Rowan led by as much as 14 points midway through a high-scoring half and maintained a double-digit advantage on multiple occasions. NJCU outscored the Profs, 14-7, in the final four minutes to pull within 57-53 at halftime.  
 
The Profs shot 52 percent from the field in the first half, but the home team bettered that by connecting on 62 percent of their shots. The teams cooled off in the second, with the Profs dipping to 38 percent and NJCU converting 46 percent.
 
It marked Rowan's second straight game with 100-plus points as the Profs were defeated by Ramapo, 110-106 on Saturday.
 
Rowan takes a break for final exams and Christmas, returning to action with a non-conference game at Albertus Magnus on December 30^th.