GLASSBORO, NJ – Ja'Zere Noel scored 30 points and Khalif Meares had 28 as the Rowan outlasted Montclair State, 98-88, in overtime in NJAC men's basketball action at Esby Gym.
It marks Rowan's fifth consecutive win as it improves to 11-4 (5-3 NJAC) while playing its fifth overtime game of the season. 

Noel added a game-high 12 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the year and went 14-for-16 from the line.  Meares made 10-of-12 field goal attempts and grabbed seven rebounds and five steals. Marcellus Ross chipped in 17 points for Rowan as he connected on four three-pointers.
 
The Profs outscored the Red Hawks in the extra period, 14-4, as Booty Butler and Meares started the scoring to give Rowan an 88-85 lead. Meares added to it with a three-point play and after a pair of free throws by Montclair State, Noel sealed the win with a three-pointer at 1:14, putting the home team up, 94-87.
 
In regulation, Montclair State (9-6; 4-4) held an 84-79 lead with 3:14 remaining but the Profs converted 5-of-5 free throws to force the overtime. Meares had three and then Ross hit a pair with 45 seconds left to knot the game at 84-84. After Montclair State missed a pair of free throws, the Profs inbounded at :30 but could not get a shot to fall.
 
Montclair State led for the majority of the second half, but Rowan remained in striking distance. Trailing 57-52, the Profs tied it at 57-57, after five straight points from Noel.
 
With 4:45 to play, Montclair State led, 79-73, but the Profs answered with a pair of threes from Ross, to tie the game at 79-79, with 4:03 to play. The Red Hawks came back with five straight, including a three by Kyree Henry, to regain the lead, 84-79.
 
The first half was similar to the second with five ties and three lead changes for each team, with Montclair State's six-point lead in the opening minutes being the largest margin. Rowan's last lead of the half was 35-33 with 3:40 to play after a layup by Ross. Montclair State outscored the Profs, 13-6, over the course of the final minutes to hold a 48-41 halftime lead. Rowan shot just 1-for-11 from behind the arc in the first half while Montclair State made 4-of-12.
 
Rowan remains at home for its next game, a matchup with Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, January 13^th, beginning at 1 p.m.