Game Highlights

GLASSBORO, NJ – Andrew Seager had 20 points and 11 rebounds to help #23 Rowan to a 77-70 win over Rutgers-Newark in Esby Gym, that clinched the NJAC regular-season championship for the Profs with a 16-1 league record. It marks the first time since 1998-99 that Rowan has won the regular season title in a single-division format, as in 2006-07 the Profs finished first in the NJAC South Division.
 
The Profs are now 20-4 (16-1 NJAC) to post the third 20-win season under head coach Joe Crispin. They have also recorded the most conference wins since 1998-99 when Rowan went 17-1 and captured the championship in the NJAC Tournament.
 
Rowan has earned a bye for the upcoming NJAC Championship and will host a semifinal game on Tuesday, February 21.
 
Seager shot 8-for-13 from the field while posting his seventh double-double of the season. Connor Dickerson netted 14 points, Marcellus Ross scored 12 with four three-pointers, and Ja'Zere Noel added 10 points and nine rebounds.
 
A three-pointer by Ross with 5:22 to play gave Rowan the lead for good, 68-67, after Rutgers-Newark had chipped away at a 10-point deficit to eventually take a 67-65 lead with over six minutes to play.
 
With Rowan leading, 70-69, Dickerson hit a pair of free throws at 2:42 and although the Scarlet Raiders closed to within 72-70, Seager connected on a short jumper to give Rowan a 74-70 lead. Rutgers-Newark missed on a pair of shots with under 35 seconds remaining and Noel hit two free throws in the final 28 seconds to seal the win for the Profs.
 
Although the Profs took the early lead in the game, Rutgers-Newark scored seven straight to go ahead, 21-18 at 7:31. With Rowan trailing, 24-22, the Profs went on a 9-2 run to regain the lead and hold a 33-25 advantage with under four minutes to go. Rutgers-Newark went back on top, 38-37, but back-to-back jumpers by Dickerson and Josh Wright gave Rowan a 41-38 halftime lead.
 
The Profs, who were coming off their first conference loss of the year, shot 53 percent from the floor in the first half, and 46 percent for the game.
 
Rowan will close out the regular season on Wednesday, February 15, when it hosts Montclair State on "Senior Night" at 7:30 p.m.