GALLOWAY, N.J. – Despite a career-high 19 points from freshman
Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford), the William Paterson men's basketball team (3-6, 1-4 NJAC) came up short at Stockton (6-4, 2-3 NJAC), 85-77, Dec. 9.
Mignone led the Pioneers in scoring on 8-of-13 (.615) shooting, including three three-pointers. Senior
Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) added 15 points with six rebounds and five steals, while seniors
Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) and
George Sapp (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) finished in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Stockton was led by Marcus Harmon who poured in 25 points on 9-of-21 (.428) shooting.
The Pioneers netted more field goals (29) than the Ospreys (28), but the difference came at the free-throw line where Stockton converted 18 of 23 (.782) attempts, while WP made 9 of 15 (.600) attempts.
Trailing by as many as 11 points (2:09-1st), the Pioneers came storming back with 15 of the next 18 points to take their second lead of the contest, 41-40, with 16:50 to play in the second half. After an Osprey free throw tied the score, the Pioneers jumped ahead for the final time (43-41) when junior
Saint Simeon Beaubrun (Irvington, N.J./Columbia) put home a jumper at the 15:12 mark. Stockton proved to be too much, however, as the Ospreys rattled off 18 of the next 22 points to take a 12-point lead with 9:34 remaining. The Pioneers got within six points (81-75) with 1:07 remaining, but it was too little too late.
WP will look to bounce back on Wednesday, Dec. 13, when they take on the Golden Eagles of St. Joseph's (Long Island) inside the Recreation Center at 6:00 p.m.
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit
http://www.wpupioneers.com and
http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.