EWING, NJ – Ja'Zere Noel scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Rowan held off a late charge by TCNJ, to defeat the Lions, 92-83, in NJAC men's basketball action. It was the Profs' eighth win in nine games, improving them to 14-5 on the year and  8-4 in the league.
 
It was the second consecutive 30-point game for Noel, as he had 35 in a win over Rutgers-Newark last Saturday. This week's NJAC Player of the Week shot 15-for-21 from the field and recorded his 11th double-double of the season. It also marked the senior's third 30-point game of the season, and the fourth of his career.  Khalif Meares had 19 points and seven assists and Marcellus Ross chipped in 18 points for the Profs.
 
Rowan led by double digits for most of the game, but saw TCNJ cut its deficit to four points, 68-64, with over nine minutes to play. The Profs answered with baskets from Noel and Meares to increase the lead to 74-66 and then used a three-pointer from Drew Amos and layup by Noel to stretch the lead to 79-68 with 5:37 remaining.
 
The Lions came within, 81-74, on a three-point play by David Alexandre, and after the teams went scoreless for two minutes, Meares broke the ice with a layup to give Rowan an 83-74 lead. The Profs secured the win at the foul line, 7-of-10 in the final minute.
 
In the first half, Rowan shot a blistering 64.5 percent (20-for-31) from the field. But TCNJ held a brief lead, 22-21, before Rowan used a 7-0 run, which included a three-point play by Josh Wright, to take a 28-22 advantage. The Profs then scored 13 consecutive points to take their biggest lead of the game, 41-25, with 6:03 left as Ross scored eight straight in the spurt. TCNJ was able to close the gap before the end of the half, and trailed by 54-43 at halftime.
 
Rowan returns to action on Saturday, January 27th to host Ramapo in Esby Gym at 3 p.m.