NJAC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | BRACKET | BUY TICKETS***

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Brycen Williams scored a game-high 27 points to lead fifth-seeded Rowan to a 73-61 victory over fourth-seeded New Jersey City University on Saturday, February 21, in the quarterfinal round of the NJAC Men's Basketball Championship at the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center.
 
With the win, Rowan (10-16) advances to the semifinal round and will travel to face top-seeded Montclair State on Wednesday, February 25, at 7:00 PM.
 
Rowan jumped out to a quick lead, building an 11-2 advantage in the early minutes of the first half before NJCU began to chip away. The Profs stretched their lead to as many as 16 points in the first half before the Gothic Knights closed the gap late, trimming the deficit to five at the break, 34-29.
 
NJCU came out of halftime with urgency, tying the game at 35-35 at the 18:18 mark on a Brince Shelton fast-break layup. Rowan responded with a Taz Cantey bucket  at 16:58 to reclaim the lead and then never relinquished it, steadily building the margin back out over the game's final ten minutes.
 
Williams was dominant throughout, finishing 7-of-17 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range while converting 9-of-13 free throws. Cantey added 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Profs, while Khalil Baker contributed nine points and eight boards. Michael Pirone chipped in eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
 
For NJCU (14-13), Bakhi Rogers-Robinson led all Gothic Knights scorers with 19 points including an 8-for-8 showing at the free throw line along with three assists. Donovan Crawford led all players with 15 rebounds. Shelton contributed nine points in 20 minutes.
 
Rowan shot 47.9 percent from the field and made 8-of-19 attempts from beyond the arc. The Profs forced 13 turnovers and scored 16 points off NJCU miscues while holding the Gothic Knights to just 38.2 percent shooting. The Profs also held a 39-29 lead on the glass.

***All ticket sales are electronic only. NO CASH SALES will be available at any venue throughout the tournament. Presale tickets for the semifinal round are available from 8am to noon on Sunday, Feb. 22, with general admission opening at noon. For presale information, contact your institution.