Box Score

YORK, Pa. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (8-2) suffered its first loss since the season opener, 64-60 in overtime, against Messiah (5-3) Dec. 28 at the York (Pa.) White Rose City Classic.

Trailing 25-22 at halftime, the Pioneers began the second half with an 11-0 run (33-25, 17:38), and William Paterson led by as many as 11 (40-29, 10:46). Messiah fought back, finally re-taking the lead with a three-pointer with 1:36 remaining in the period (50-49), and held a two-point edge with four seconds to play before Seve Cousins (Haledon, N.J./St. Joseph's Regional) forced overtime with a jumper during the final second.

WP went cold to start the extra session, not making a field goal for almost four minutes, as Messiah built a five-point lead. With the score 61-58, the Pioneers had a chance to force a second overtime, but were 2-for-4 from the free-throw line and 0-for-4 from the field during the final 47 seconds.

Senior guard Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) paced the Pioneers with 14 points, while sophomore forward Abdoulaye Ouedraogo (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) had 13 tallies and eight rebounds. Sophomore Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) chipped in 11 points for the Pioneers, who were forced to play without Ouedraogo, Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) and Jason Cameron (Cliffside Park, N.J./Cliffside Park) after each one fouled out.

The Pioneers will face York (Pa.) in the tournament consolation game Saturday, Dec. 29, at 1:00 p.m.