Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (1-0) shot 55.8 (29-52) percent from the field, including a 9-for-16 (.563) effort from beyond the arc, in an 87-60 season-opening men's basketball victory against FDU-Florham (0-1) Nov. 16. After the contest, the Pioneers hosted their annual Hoops Mania Blast-Off Festival for William Paterson students in the Rec Center.

Senior Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 5-for-7 (.714) from the field overall, 3-for-3 from three-point range and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. He added three steals. Senior newcomer Eric Moore (Dover, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) was 6-for-8 (.750) overall and 3-for-5 (.600) from beyond the arc for 17 tallies in his Pioneer debut, adding five assists, and junior Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) had 11 tallies. Senior Tim Lucas (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) tallied six points and five assists in the winning effort.

William Paterson jumped out to a 10-2 lead en route to a 46-23 halftime advantage as the Pioneers turned 13 Devil turnovers into 22 points and shot 7-for-11 (.636) from long range. That lead grew to as many as 32 (81-49, 6:40) during the second half as WP led wire-to-wire. Overall, William Paterson owned a 28-9 advantage in points off turnovers and out-scored the FDU-Florham bench by a 40-26 count.

Sophomore Adam Katz paced FDU-Florham with 15 points. Freshman Alex Rosario and sophomore Bobby Faiges each added eight points for the Devils.

William Paterson will take on Moravian in the first round of the Muhlenberg Tournament Friday, Nov. 20, at 3:00 p.m.