GLASSBORO, NJ – Dakota Adams scored a career-high 23 points as Rowan held off William Paterson, 84-79, in NJAC women's basketball action at Esby Gym. The win snaps a two-game losing skid for the Profs and improves them to 12-7 (9-3 NJAC).
 
Eliana Santana hit two free throws with :04 to play to seal the win for Rowan, after the visitors had come within, 81-79, with 40 seconds remaining. The Pioneers couldn't convert on their ensuing possessions and Sabrina Araujo and Santana hit free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
 
Adams shot 10-for-14 from the field and grabbed six rebounds to pace the win. Nicole Mallard added 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting and handed out a team-high four assists.
 
Rowan held a 62-54 lead at the start of the fourth quarter and eventually built up a 13-point lead, 74-61, after a three by Adams with 5:39 to play.
 
But William Paterson  (9-8; 6-5) would outscore the Profs, 14-6, over the next three minutes to close within 80-75 with 2:31 remaining. Consecutive baskets in the final minute cut Rowan's lead to 81-79 and after a miss by the visitors, Adams grabbed a rebound and set up the made free throw by Araujo.
 
 Rowan came out strong in the first quarter, building up a 30-16 lead by the end of the period by shooting a blistering 61.9 percent from the field, hitting 13-of-21. The Profs cooled off in the second quarter and the teams combined to shoot 0-for-14 from three-point range in the period.  Although William Paterson closed out the half with a 6-2 run, Rowan still held a 41-33 lead at halftime.
 
William Paterson turned the tables on the Profs in the second half, hitting their first seven shots and making 7-of-10 in the third quarter. The Pioneers erased their deficit, and forced three ties during the quarter, with the last being 50-50. Rowan broke that tie as Kate Herlihy connected on a three-pointer and Jazlyn Duverglas followed with a jumper to give the Profs a 55-50 lead. Duverglas then hit five straight points and by the end of the quarter, Rowan was holding onto a 64-50 lead.
 
The Profs are home again on Wednesday when they take on Rutgers-Camden. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.