Box Score
WAYNE, N.J. – No. 23 William Paterson continues to prove that if you send the Pioneers to the free-throw line, their opponent will pay the price. Sophomore guard
Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) scored a game-high 19 points – including 13-of-13 from the free throw line - to fuel No. 23 William Paterson's (14-2, 5-1 NJAC) 71-54 victory over Rutgers-Newark (11-7 4-2 NJAC) in a battle for sole possession of first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men's Basketball North Division Jan. 21.
William Paterson won its fourth-straight game thanks a grind-it-out effort by the defense, which held Rutgers-Newark to 17-of-49 shooting (34.7 percent). The Pioneers also owned an edge on the glass (36-34) and won the turnover battle (18-11).
To illustrate its marksmanship at the charity stripe, William Paterson made 17-of-18 free throws in the first half despite its shooting woes, and finished the game missing just three of its 31 attempts at the line (90.3 percent).
During a competitive, and at times physical, first half, the two teams combined to shoot just 17-of-55. But the game's see-saw nature ultimately benefited the Pioneers and Paul. The sophomore guard scored all 10 of first-half points at the free-throw line (10-for-10) to fuel a 14-6 spurt that also saw the Pioneers' defense hold Rutgers-Newark without a field for the final 5:13 of the half, helping WP to a 34-24 halftime lead it would not relinquish.
Jordan Fowler (East Orange, N.J./Montclair) added a solid line of nine points, six rebounds and three steals, and helped the Pioneers shoot 13-of-27 (48.1 percent) from the floor during the second half to expand their lead to as many as 17 points (56-39, 4:52 remaining).
Sophomore forward
Shaun Canty (Englewood, N.J./Paramus Catholic) added six points and two blocked shots to highlight the defensive effort for William Paterson.
Rutgers-Newark had three players finish in double-digits in scoring. Forward Deshawn Singleton had 14 points and seven rebounds, junior Tim Smith added 12 points, and forward Phil Barnes posted 10 points and seven rebounds for the Scarlet Raiders.
William Paterson will return to action Saturday, Jan. 24, at The College of New Jersey at 3:00 p.m.
