Box Score 

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Senior Courtney Nelson (Newark, N.J./Bloomfield Tech) scored a game-high 24 points for the Pioneers but it wasn't enough, as William Paterson (14-4, 5-3 NJAC) lost a 76-66 decision against rival Montclair State (14-5, 6-2 NJAC) Jan. 28.

Freshman guard Paul Siljee scored 16 of his season-high 19 points in the second half as Montclair State moved into sole possession of first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division. Sophomore forward Jon Georges recorded a double-double with15 points and 10 rebounds as MSU is one game ahead of both William Paterson and Rutgers-Newark in the North Division.

Montclair State led 37-35 at halftime, but the Pioneers came out with an 11-2 run to open the second period. Nelson's three-point play put WP in front at 40-39, and he later scored four consecutive points as William Paterson took a 46-39 lead with 15:06 left.

The Red Hawks would chip away at the deficit and moved back in front at 53-52 on a layup by James Williams with 10:27 to go. Robert Whetham (North Haldeon, N.J./Passaic Valley) would forge a tie at 56-56 with 8:19 remaining, but Siljee put Montclair on top to stay on the next possession as he connected twice at the free-throw line.

Siljee then hit his biggest shot of the game with 7:44 to play as he drained a 26-footer to put Montclair up 61-56. Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) made the deficit four with two foul shots, however Sean Young and Williams each had buckets, and Siljee hit two free throws as the Montclair State lead was boosted back to 68-61 with 4:36 left.

A layup by Nelson with 2:41 trimmed the lead to 69-65, but Young came up with a huge putback and Siljee punctuated his career night with a three-pointer with 1:32 remaining as Montclair State led 74-65.

Freshman guard Ali Mix added 15 points and five assists, while Williams added 10 points as Montclair State shot 55 percent (28-of-51) from the field and outrebounded the Pioneers, 29-23. Young chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.

Sophomore Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) had 12 points and three rebounds for William Paterson, which got 10 points from Ellis. The Pioneers shot 52 percent (25-of-58) from the floor.

William Paterson will host Kean Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3:00 p.m.