NEWARK, NJ - A pair of free throws by Ayden Brown with 1.1 seconds to play gave Rutgers-Newark an 88-85 win over Rowan in NJAC men's basketball action, after the game appeared to be headed for overtime. Brycen Williams scored a game-high 29 points for Rowan (9-15; 9-8).
 
With 29 seconds to play, Rowan trailed, 85-80, but took advantage of back-to-back turnovers by the Scarlet Raiders as Michael Pirone converted a three-point play at :15 off the first one. Rowan picked off the next inbounds pass and Taz Cantey laid it at :11 to tie the game, 85-85. Rutgers-Newark (5-19; 2-15) got a shot off but Brown was fouled with 1.1 on the clock and he hit both free throws. After Rowan's next inbounds pass went out of bounds, Rutgers-Newark got the ball into to Eli'Sha Brown, who was fouled and converted one free throw at 0.1.
 
Williams recorded a new season-high with 29 points on 9-for-16 shooting and four three-pointers. CJ Hayes scored 14 points and Khalil Baker had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double with Taz Cantey chipping in 12 points.
 
The Scarlet Raiders were able to hold onto the lead throughout the second half and had an answer every time Rowan came close. Rutgers-Newark led by as much as eight points, 66-58, with 10 minutes left in the second half. The Scarlet Raiders led, 80-74, and a pair of free throws from Williams brought the Profs to 80-76, but the Scarlet Raiders had it back up to 82-76 quickly.
 
The first half was back-and-forth both teams trading leads. Rowan took a 32-28 lead with under six minutes to play, which would be its last lead of the game. Rutgers-Newark then went on a 15-2 run to take its biggest lead of the contest, 43-34, with 1:31 left. The Profs scored the final four points of the half to cut the deficit at intermission to 43-38, despite Rutgers-Newark shooting 65 percent (17-of-26) from the field.
 
Rowan closes out the regular season on Wednesday against rival Stockton at home, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m.