Box Score
WAYNE, N.J. – In a battle of two of the nation's best defensive teams, it was offense that ruled the day as the William Paterson men's basketball team (15-3, 7-0 NJAC) defeated Rutgers-Newark (11-8, 4-3 NJAC), 79-65, Jan. 30 at the Rec Center.
In total, nine players reached double figures in scoring as the two teams combined to shoot 43.2 (51-118) percent from the field. William Paterson's season-high 79 points came primarily from the free-throw line (21-28) and from beyond the arc (6-12). The Pioneers began the week first nationally in scoring defense (54.1 ppg) and second in field-goal percentage defense (.368), while Rutgers-Newark was 24th (61.8 ppg) and sixth (.376) in the same two categories.
Leading 40-31 at the break, the Pioneers opened up the second half with a 9-1 run and never saw their margin dip below nine for the remainder of the period.
Senior Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) led WP with 17 points, while sophomore Abdoulaye Ouedraogo (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding a career-high six blocked shots. Freshman Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) chipped in with 13 tallies, and Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) and Seve Cousins (Haledon, N.J./St. Joseph's Regional) each had 10 points off the bench.
Junior Chadd Barnes led all scorers with 20 points and added four steals for the Scarlet Raiders. Phil Barnes had 12 points and eight rebounds, and David Cherry and Angel Collado each added 11 tallies for Rutgers-Newark.
The Pioneers will travel to Glassboro to face Rowan Saturday, Feb. 2, at 1:00 p.m.
