Box Score

HOBOKEN, N.J. – Clinging to a one-point halftime lead, the William Paterson men's basketball team (2-1) could not hold off the host Ducks (2-1) in the second half, losing a 63-52 decision in the final of the Stevens Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 20.

An old-fashioned three-point play by Nick Allan (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) to open the second half gave the Pioneers a 23-19 edge (19:48), but the Ducks answered with a pair of free throws and a layup to knot the score at 23-23 less than a minute later. The two teams traded baskets until a 13-2 Stevens run made it a 47-32 contest with 7:55 remaining. An Allan three-pointer later briefly cut that lead to single digits (53-45, 1:32), but the Ducks were 10-for-14 (.714) at the free-throw line down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Allan led William Paterson with 14 points, while senior guard Gabriel Paul (Newark, N.J./Hillside) had 11 tallies, four rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Joey Castro (West Paterson, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) chipped in 10 points and three assists, and freshman forward Femi Agunbiade (Maplewood, N.J./Colombia) added eight points and three boards. The Pioneers were hampered by an uncharacteristic shooting effort from three-point range (3-16, .188) and the charity stripe (11-19, .579).

Sheldon Jones scored a game-high 17 points for Stevens. Mike Cutri had 13 tallies and six assists, and Kevin McManamy added seven points and seven rebounds.

William Paterson will open its home slate Tuesday, Nov. 23, against New York City Tech at 7:00 p.m.