WASHINGTON, DC – Marcellus Ross scored a game-high 31 points to lead Rowan to an 89-85 upset of #14 Catholic in the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship played at the DuFour Center to advance the Profs to their  second straight Sweet 16.
 
Rowan (21-7) will move on to meet top-ranked Hampden-Sydney in the third round on March 8 at 7 p.m. at Kirby Field House in Hampden-Sydney, VA. Ticket information will be announced here on Monday, March 4. 

POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
 
Ross made six three-pointers in the game and grabbed seven rebounds while notching his fourth 30-plus point game of the year. Khalif Meares made 9-of-16 field goals to score 23 points and Ja'Zere Noel 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting, to go along with 11 rebounds, for his 16th double-double of the year.
 
Ross also made a key defensive play with :25 to play, blocking Jesse Hafemeister's layup attempt with the Profs leading, 85-82. Rowan then sealed it with three free throws in the final seconds.
 
The Profs led by as much as 14, 47-33, early in the second half. Catholic (24-5) cut the deficit to 60-58 at the midway point of the half but free throws from Booty Butler and a three by Ross, gave Rowan a 65-58 lead. Catholic shot 61 percent from the field and although the Cardinals came within three points numerous times, and cut it to two points at 2:47, the Profs always had an answer.
 
The first half was tight and Catholic held a four-point lead until Rowan took the lead for good, 22-21, on a layup by Meares. The Profs expanded that to eight points, 31-23, and then up to 10 points, 43-33, for the halftime lead.