Kris Polk scored a game-high 25 points and Lancioni tossed in 16 markers, including the game-winning trey. Brian Hiltner netted 13 points and Tobias Smith contributed 12 points for Stockton. Ryan Cochrane paced Rowan with 16 points, followed by Matt Byrnes with 14 markers. Brandon King and Timothy Bowser added 12 points apiece for the Profs.
Bowser drained a jumper in the lane to give Rowan a 78-76 lead with 38 seconds to play. The Profs then turned the ball over twice in the next 26 seconds, giving Stockton possession with 12 ticks left. Lancioni received a pass from Polk and drained the clutch three-pointer from the left wing with five seconds remaining for a 79-78 lead. Rowan advanced the ball into the frontcourt and called timeout, but the Profs were unable to get off a last-second shot.
After nine ties in the first half, Lancioni and Hiltner each hit a pair of free throws late in the period to give Stockton a 43-39 lead at intermission. Stockton’s biggest lead came at 66-57 after a layup by Polk with 9:39 left in the second half. Bowser led Rowan back with six points as part of a 19-4 run that resulted in a 76-70 advantage for the Profs with 3:44 to play. Stockton then rallied to tie the game with six consecutive points at the foul line, four by Polk, and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Stockton advanced to the NJAC championship game at Ramapo on Friday night at 7 pm. The conference champ receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Rowan’s season came to an end at 16-11 after tonight’s loss.