NEW YORK, NY - Khalif Meares had 32 points but it wasn't enough as the Rowan men's basketball team was edged by Ithaca in its season opener, 93-92, in the NYU Tip-Off Tournament. The Profs will continue play in the tournament on Sunday against the host team at 4 p.m.

Meares scored 19 points in the second half alone also added five rebounds and five assists, with Brycen Williams scoring 18 in his Rowan debut. Taz Cantey had 10 points in his first game as a Prof with Drew Amos scoring a career-high 11.

With Ithaca leading, 89-87, Taz Cantey tied the game with a layup at :40. Ithaca's Wendell connected on a three-pointer with :12 left to give the Bombers a 92-89 lead, but the Profs committed a turnover on their next possession. Wendell made one free throw to up the lead to 93-89 and Brycen Williams hit a three at :03 to provide the final margin.

The teams traded leads throughout, with Rowan's largest margin being nine points in the first half, and Ithaca holding a seven-point advantage in the second.

The Profs shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and held a 49-43 lead. Ithaca opened the second half with a 10-2 run to overtake the lead and held it most of the half. Rowan went up, 75-73, on a layup by Amos, but Ithaca regained the lead and maintained it the rest of the way, except for an 87-87 tie with 1:22 to go and the 89-89 tie with 40 seconds remaining.