NEW HAVEN, CT – Ja'Zere Noel scored 28 points and Booty Butler converted a layup with 15 seconds left to help Rowan pick up an 85-81 win over Albertus Magnus in non-league men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon. It was the Profs' first game since December 13th and they improved to 8-4 on the year.
 
Noel shot 11-for-22 from the field while Khalif Meares added 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and four steals. Marcellus Ross added 18 points as he went a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line.
 
With the game tied, 77-77, with 2:46 to play, Marcellus Ross scored four in a row for to give the Profs an 81-77 lead with 1:49 remaining. A basket by Khalif Meares put Rowan up, 83-78, but Albertus Magnus was able to close within 83-81 with 42 seconds left. On the Profs' next possession, Butler scored in the paint with :15 to play to seal the victory.
 
Albertus Magnus controlled the first half and led by as much as 10 points, 25-15, in the early going. The Profs fought back and eventually tied it, 40-40, with 1:06 remaining on a layup by Ryan Ems. Pairs of free throws from Meares and Ross enabled Rowan to take a 44-40 lead at halftime.
 
The Profs took the momentum into the second half and after just four minutes, held a 53-46 lead on a jumper by Ross. With Rowan leading, 56-49, after a three by Noel, the Falcons went on an 11-2 run to overtake the lead and hold a 60-56 advantage. With the home team leading, 66-60, Rowan used a 9-2 spurt to regain the lead and go up 69-68 on a three from Ross.
 
Albertus Magnus took its last lead of the contest, 75-73, with 6:15 remaining but after the teams went scoreless for two minutes, Rowan scored four straight to take the lead for good, 79-77.
 
Rowan will ring in the New Year on January 3rd with a non-conference clash at #25 Swarthmore.