Dec 11, 2024
WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (4-5, 1-3 NJAC) earned its first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory of the season after edging out Rutgers-Newark (4-6, 1-3 NJAC), 70-67, Dec. 11 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers trailed by five (45-40) with 10:17 remaining in the game before senior David Martinez and freshman Jack Gobel combined for six unanswered points to give WP its first lead since the 2:44 mark of the first half.
- The two sides began trading baskets until a layup by senior Shane Geene with 3:35 on the clock sparked a 9-2 run that spanned 2:30 of game action and gave WP the 66-60 lead.
- Despite a late 3-pointer by the Scarlet Raiders that cut the deficit to one (68-67) with one second remaining, the Pioneers held on for the conference home win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Martinez scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-16 (.563) shooting with four makes from long range.
- Senior Neftali Valentin shot 7-for-12 (.583) from the field for a 19-point performance with six rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
- Senior Andre Wells recorded his third double-double of the season after finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds while adding six assists and two steals.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will head to Glassboro, N.J., Saturday, Dec. 14, for a 3:00 p.m. conference game at Rowan.
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