Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – Four Pioneers reached double digits in scoring as the William Paterson men's basketball team (8-1) overcame a sluggish start to defeat Lehman (3-6) 67-49 Dec. 21 at WP's Rec Center. 

Lehman's Duane Rhoden drained three trifectas to give the Lightning an early 9-3 lead (16:56), but the Pioneers shook off their early shooting woes, engineering a 15-2 spurt to jump ahead 18-11 with 8:58 remaining in the half. From that point forward, William Paterson controlled the game, steadily building a 35-22 halftime edge thanks to 16 first-half points from freshman Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside).

The Pioneers, who began the week first nationally in scoring defense (49.9 ppg) and second in field-goal percentage defense (.344), held Lehman to a 10-for-30 (.333) shooting effort during the second half to lead by as many as 22 during the second stanza. For the game, the Lightning were 17-of-50 (.340) from the field, but did sink seven of 15 three-pointers (.467). William Paterson shot 47.7 (21-44) percent from the floor overall.

Paul led WP with his 23 points, making seven of 11 (.636) attempts and all nine of his shots from the charity stripe. Senior guard Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) posted 12 tallies, four assists and three steals, sophomore Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) had 11 points, classmate Abdoulaye Ouedraogo (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) chipped in with 10 tallies, and senior Jason Cameron (Cliffside Park, N.J./Cliffside Park) collected seven rebounds and five assists.

Rhoden led the Lightning with 19 points and seven rebounds. Alain DeLa Cruz added five assists and three steals for Lehman.