Box Score 

UNION, N.J. – William Paterson (13-1, 3-0 NJAC) surrendered a season-low 41 points in a 56-41 men's basketball victory at Kean (4-9, 1-3 NJAC) Jan. 9.

William Paterson, winners of 11 straight, opened up a 15-point lead by halftime (29-14) after a first period that saw the Pioneers shoot 46.2 (12-26) percent from the field and hold Kean to a 5-for-17 (.294) shooting effort. Senior Joseph Ellis (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) scored seven points and classmate Abdoulaye Ouedraogo (Newark, N.J./Newark Science) added six for the Pioneers prior to the intermission.

The Pioneers' lead dipped into single digits for just one possession of the second half as William Paterson's defense forced 10 more turnovers (21 total) and 38.5 (10-26) percent shooting (.349, 15-43 total) during the second stanza. Those numbers improved upon WP's nationally-ranked defensive stats in scoring defense (54.3 ppg, third) and field-goal percentage defense (.373, 11th).

Ellis finished with 13 points and three steals, while junior Gabriel Paul (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) and senior Eric Moore (Dover, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) each scored 11. Ouedraogo led William Paterson on the boards with six rebounds.

Akinwande Oshodi paced Kean with 14 points, Vinnie Darpino added 11 tallies, and Jonathan Jones contributed nine rebounds.

The Pioneers will begin a three-game homestand Wednesday, Jan. 13, with a contest against Rutgers-Newark at 8:00 p.m.