GLASSBORO, N.J. (1/4/11) – Senior guard Noel Mathis scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to a 73-68 win over Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference South Division action on Wednesday evening. 

Mathis added nine steals and four assists for the Cougars (12-2, 3-0 NJAC), while Lauren Creel andChanelle Banta each had 19 points for Rowan (5-7, 1-2 NJAC). 

Rowan took an early 14-6 lead when Creel knocked down a pair of free throws just 5:32 into the game.  The Cougars would score six straight points to trim the lead to two points following a layup by senior Erika Jones and would eventually use an 11-0 run to take a 27-20 lead on a layup by senior Briana Winston with 6:23 left in the half.

The Cougars would close the half on another 11-0 run, as they built a 38-23 lead at halftime.  Junior Brittanie Payne led the Cougars with 11 points and six rebounds, while Banta had eight points for Rowan.

In the second half, the Cougars extended the lead to as many as 19 points at 45-26 on a layup by senior Danielle McFadden (pictured left) just 3:48 into the half.  However, Rowan used a 14-2 run to pull back to within single digits at 47-40, as Creel closed the run with 12 straight points of her own.    

Kean pushed the lead back to double-digits and led 55-41 following a pair of free throws by junior Simone Smith midway through the half.  A 11-1 run by Rowan pulled the Profs back to within 56-52 with just under six minutes remaining, however Mathis netted 10 of her points in the final 5:22 to seal the victory.

Payne added 15 points and six rebounds, while McFadden had a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

For Rowan, Erin Farrell had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, January 7, when they travel to Montclair State University.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.