Feb 11, 2026
WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (8-15, 3-13 NJAC) defeated Kean (11-12, 8-8 NJAC), 71-67, in a down-to-the-wire New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game Feb. 11 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A layup by freshman Nahsir Merrick with 10:45 left to play in the game gave the Pioneers a 12-point advantage (56-44). However, the Cougars countered with 12 unanswered points to even the score at 56-56 with 7:30 on the clock.
- WP responded with a 9-2 run, going 6-of-7 (.857) from the foul line, to take a seven-point lead (65-58) with 4:38 remaining.
- Kean answered once again, scoring six unanswered points to pull within one (65-64) before burying a shot from deep to go ahead by two with 1:38 left to play.
- Senior Ethan Paul scored from inside the paint with 1:09 on the clock, knotting the score at 67-67, before the Cougars took a timeout.
- Out of the break, Kean turned the ball over and the Pioneers took a timeout of their own before sophomore Jianni Moran found classmate Delani Hyde wide open in the paint for the go-ahead layup with 20 seconds remaining.
- The Pioneers forced a turnover on Kean's ensuing possession and held on for the 71-67 home victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Sophomore Jack Gobel scored a team-high 16 points on 5-of-10 (.500) shooting.
- Paul logged 14 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists.
- Hyde had 13 points, six boards and a pair of assists.
- Moran finished with 10 points, four assists and three rebounds.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will play host to Rutgers-Camden Wednesday, Feb. 14, for a 3:00 p.m. conference matchup.
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