NEW YORK, N.Y. – Seniors Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) and Richy Espinal, along with junior Peter Martinez (Stockton, Calif./Dublin) combined for 40 points to lead the William Paterson men's basketball team (6-6) to a 67-63 road win at Baruch (4-5) Dec. 29.
 
The trio of Pioneers contributed for 60 percent of the team's scoring in the win. Espinal added six rebounds and five steals to a 14-point effort. Badmos hauled in six boards to complement a 14-point game as well, and Martinez knocked down 3-of-4 (.750) attempts from beyond the arc en route to 12 points. The Bearcats were led by Chimaechi Ekekeugbor with a game-high 21 points.
 
It was a very evenly matched contest, with both teams posting nearly identical statistical numbers. The Pioneers show 40 (21-53) percent from the field, while the Bearcats converted 36 (20-56) percent of their shots. Both squads were an identical 19-of-24 (79 percent) from the free-throw line, and Baruch held a slight 36-35 advantage in rebounding.
 
After Baruch jumped out to a 15-4 lead (13:22), the Orange and Black used a 27-6 run over the next 9:32 to take a 31-21 lead late in the opening half. The Bearcats cut the deficit down to six points at the halftime break, as the Pioneers took a 35-29 lead into the locker room.
 
After trading buckets for much of the opening 10 minutes of the second stanza, the Pioneers took their largest lead of the game at 13 points when sophomore Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) put home a three-pointer and Espinal knocked down a jumper to make the score 55-42 with 9:30 remaining. Baruch came roaring back however, as the Bearcats scored 13 of the next 17 points over a seven-minute span to cut the Pioneer lead down to 59-55 with 2:30 to play.
 
Baruch cut the deficit down to two points twice, their latest coming with 41 seconds remaining after a Jack Sixsmith layup. Senior George Sapp (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) and Smith hit one free-throw each over the final stretch however to keep the Bearcats at bay and hold on for the 67-63 victory.
 
The Pioneers return to action after the New Year when they play host to New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe, The College of New Jersey inside the WP Sport and Recreation Center at 6:00 p.m., Jan. 3.
 
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