Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (18-7, 13-5 NJAC) grinded out a tough 104-101 overtime victory over Rowan University (12-13-9-9 NJAC) in the final NJAC regular season game on Wednesday night for both teams. Freshman Jahmir Payoute (Irvington/Snyder) led five Ospreys in double figures with 16 points and a career and game-high 20 rebounds.
 
Stockton jumped out early in the first half leading by as many as 14 points before settling in with a 37-29 halftime lead. Eriq Campbell (West Atco/Lindenwold) topped the home team with 13 points at the break on 5-8 shooting as the Ospreys shot 43.8% (14-32) from the field in gaining the advantage.
 
The Ospreys kept a double-digit lead throughout most of the second half, leading 77-67 with 4:57 remaining in regulation, before Rowan started their comeback. The Profs knotted the contest with a 15-5 run in a span of 2:30 for an 82-82 draw. The squads battle to the end of regulation tied for the third time at 87 points each, sending the match to the overtime period.
 
Stockton took control scoring the first nine points in the extra frame, six by EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/Cherry Hill East) and three by Christian Armstrong-Thomas (Marlton/Cherokee) for a 96-87 lead with 1:03 left.
 
The Profs could not get closer than four points the rest of the way and Stockton survived with the 104-101 victory.
 
Matthews-Spratley led the Ospreys with 28 markers followed by Campbell with 25 points, Payoute had his 16 points, with Devon Johnson (Pine Hill/Overbrook) chipping in with 12 and Armstrong-Thomas who tallied 11. Senior Jamar Johnson (Penns Grove/Penns Grove) pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, to go with a game-high five assists, on Senior Night, as Stockton held a 57-40 advantage on the glass.
 
Payoute's rebound total were the most by an NJAC player in a single game this season and ranks second in a single game in Stockton history.
 
Rowan was led by Brycen Williams who scored a game-high 37 points, with Skip Burton adding 22 points. Chris McCarron and Dan Mason chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively, with Mason garnering 10 rebounds.
 
Stockton qualified as the number three seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament and will face off again against Rowan University who will be the number six seed in a first round matchup. Game time in Galloway is set for 7 pm on Saturday night.