WASHINGTON, DC - Tyrese Myrick scored a season-high 22 points and Khalif Meares added 20 as Rowan men's basketball defeated #24 Catholic, 85-71, in the first round of the Tom McKavitt Classic. The Profs will play in the championship game on Thursday against #21 Saint John's (MN) in a 3 p.m. start.

Myrick made 4-of-6 three-pointers in the win off the bench while Meares handed out seven assists. Dan Mason scored a season-high 14 points and Brycen Williams scored 12 for Rowan (6-3).

The Profs shot 62 percent from the field in the first half, including at a 61.5 percent (8-for-13) clip from three-point range. Catholic (7-2) held a 24-12 lead early on, but the Profs scored eight straight to close within four, 24-20, and then eventually tied the game on a three from Williams. Rowan would scored 11 straight and then finish the half on a 17-5 run to own a 52-36 halftime lead.

In the second half, Catholic closed to 55-46 before the Profs were able to build their lead back up to double digits, 60-46, after a three from Myrick. The Cardinals again cut their deficit to eight points (65-57) with over 11 minutes to play but the Profs scored seven straight to get a more comfortable 72-57 advantage, and wouldn't allow the home team to get within less than 12 points the rest of the way.

Rowan made a season-high 13 threes in the game with the best long-range shooting percent (52.0) of the year.

Saint John's defeated Marymount, 71-55, in Wednesday's other contest.