GLASSBORO, NJ - Khalif Meares posted 23 points and seven steals, and Danny Fleming added 15 points, as Rowan (1-2) defeated Eastern, 79-61 in its home opener as the Profs notched their first win of the year.

Meares connected on 7-for-13 from the field while also handing out seven assists and grabbing nine rebounds. Fleming hit 7-of-11 field goals and recorded four blocks while Taz Cantey added 11 points in the win.

Rowan broke open a tight game, 42-40, going on an 17-2 run, with six points from Fleming, to take a 60-43 lead at 7:45, ending in a three-pointer from Brycen Williams. The Profs took their biggest margin (21) at 4:07 after free throws by Meares and then matched it again once more after a three from Cantey gave Rowan a 74-53 lead with 2:48 to play.

The Profs never trailed in the game but took their biggest lead of the first half, 15-8, eight minutes in. Eastern (2-1) made a run late in the first half, tying the game at 28-28, before Rowan ended the period with four straight points to own a 32-28 lead at intermission.

Rowan's defense held Eastern to under 31 percent shooting from the field and a 2-for-19 effort from three-point range. The Profs struggled from the perimeter in the first half (30 percent) but connected on 15-of-35 field goals and 4-of-9 three pointers in the second half to pull away.

Rowan gets a lengthy break before its next game, the NJAC opener at home against Montclair State on November 26 at 7:30 p.m.