GLASSBORO, NJ -- The Rowan Women's Basketball team will start its quest to defend its title as the Profs play at Kean on Saturday at 3 p.m. (note time change) in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament.

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Rowan is the sixth seed in this year's playoff, taking on the third-seeded Cougars. The two teams 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  in Glassboro on February 3rd.

The two teams also met in last season's postseason, as Rowan, the third seed, knocked out the second-seeded Cougars in the semifinal round with a 68-58 win. From there the Profs would claim its eighth conference crown in program history with its 79-70 victory at NJCU.

Kate Herlihy (13.5 ppg) and Nicole Mallard (9.6 ppg) lead the Profs in scoring respectively and have started all 25 games this season. Defensively, Eliana Santana is the top rebounder on the squad (6.4 rpg), which ranks her ninth in the NJAC, and Charlotte Carlies who is third in the conference in blocked shots (39).

The Cougars' Gigi Gamble ranks second in the NJAC in scoring (18.4) as the freshman is also second in three-pointers made (59). Teammate Shahd Badeer is the league-leader in rebounding at over 11 per contest.

Other quarterfinal action on Saturday pits fourth-seeded Stockton hosting fifth-seeded Ramapo. TCNJ is the top seed with NJCU the second seed. Semifinal action continues on Tuesday, February 20th with TCNJ hosting the Stockton/Ramapo winner and NJCU welcoming the Kean/Rowan winner. The NJAC Championship game is set for Friday, February 23rd at the highest remaining seed.