MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Rowan ended the regular season at Montclair State, as a late rally came up short in a 66-62 defeat at the Red Hawks Wednesday night in NJAC action. The Profs have secured the sixth seed in the NJAC Tournament and will play at third-seeded Kean on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a quarterfinal matchup.

2024 NJAC CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

Kate Herlihy netted 12 of her game-high 19 points in the second half as Rowan tried to come back from a 15-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. Sabrina Araujo added 14 points, one shy of tying a career high, and Nicole Mallard scored 11. Herlihy (3) and Araujo (4) combined to hit all seven of the team's three-pointers on the evening.

For the Red Hawks, Brianna Montajes led five players in double digits with a team high 14.

Rowan struggled in the first quarter, hitting on just 2-of-14 attempts from the floor as the visitors trailed, 18-7, after the first 10 minutes. The squad would go on a 10-for-16 stint (63%) in the second stanza as Arajuo and Herlihy each went for 8 and 7 points respectively, helping Rowan get within 35-32 at the break.

Early in the third, a three from Herlihy and a bucket in the paint from Mallard gave the Profs its first lead (39-37) since the first. However, Montclair State ended the frame on an 18-4 run to add to its lead.

Montajes' layup put the Red Hawks up, 60-45, with 5:44 remaining before Rowan gave it one last push. Back-to-back trifectas from Araujo and Herlihy on consecutive possessions capped a 13-3 run to get within five (63-58) with just over a minute to play. Montclair State was able to hit free throws down the stretch to help secure the outcome. A three at the buzzer from Araujo accounted for the final score.

Rowan and Kean split the regular-season series with each team winning on its home court. The Cougars took the matchup in Union on January 6th, 89-70 while the Profs claimed a 74-65 victory here in Glassboro on February 3rd.