Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (12-13, 4-9 NJAC) was able to rally from an 11-point deficit to take a second-half lead, but the Pioneers couldn't overcome Ramapo (20-5, 11-2 NJAC) in a 64-59 Senior Night loss Feb. 16 in the regular-season finale for both men's basketball teams.

Senior Gabriel Paul (Newark, N.J./Hillside) scored a game-high 26 points in his final career game, adding four rebounds and two steals. Classmate Shaun Canty (Carlstadt, N.J./Paramus Catholic) posted 13 points and a team-best eight rebounds for the Pioneers.

Ramapo turned a one-point lead (13-12, 9:30) into an 18-12 edge a minute later, and never led by less than four until entering the intermission with a 32-26 advantage. The Roadrunners used a 20-9 rebounding margin during the game's first 20 minutes to take control early.

Junior Nolan Hill's (Edgewater, N.J./Bergen Catholic) three-pointer gave the Pioneers a 35-34 lead less than five minutes into the second stanza, and Canty's tip-in made it a three-point margin (37-34) with 14:45 to play. A Demetrius Boards three-point play quickly knotted the score, and after the contest was later tied at 40-40 with 12:13 on the clock, Ramapo scored 10 of the next 11 points for a 50-41 advantage with 8:37 remaining in the contest.

William Paterson chipped away at that lead, finally trimming it to one (53-52, 5:52) thanks to a pair of Joey Castro (West Paterson, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) free throws. Boards answered the next time down the floor with a second-chance jumper (55-52, 5:20), and Ahmad Hassan added a fast-break layup a minute later (57-52, 4:16). The Pioneers pulled within three at the 3:02 mark after a Canty floater in the lane, but Boards' bucket and two free throws by Anthony LoRusso gave Ramapo a 63-56 edge with 24 seconds left.

Stephon Treadwell led the Roadrunners with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Boards scored 14 and Hassan 10 for Ramapo, the New Jersey Athletic Conference's North Division champions and the owners of a first-round bye for the NJAC Tournament.

Prior to the game, William Paterson honored seniors Nick Allan (Colonia, N.J./Colonia), Canty and Paul.