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WAYNE, N.J. – Senior forward Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) scored 17 of his game-best 29 points during the first half as the William Paterson men's basketball team (11-9, 6-7 NJAC) cruised to a 90-65 victory against visiting Stockton (11-9, 5-8 NJAC) Jan. 27.
 
The win gave the Pioneers sole possession of fifth place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings, one game ahead of the Ospreys and Rowan (5-8) with five regular-season contests remaining. The top six teams will qualify for the NJAC Tournament that begins Saturday, Feb. 17.
 
WP led for almost the entire first half, opening up a 40-29 halftime lead thanks to a 13-5 run to end the period. Eight of those tallies came off the hot hand of Espinal as the Pioneers committed just four turnovers and enjoyed a 15-2 edge in points scored off the miscues.
 
When Stockton pulled to within five early in the second half (40-35, 17:45), Espinal scored eight points to ignite a 10-0 burst (50-35, 16:07), and William Paterson's advantage never dipped below 19 points during the game's final 11 minutes. The Pioneers finished with a .500 (34-68) field-goal percentage and limited the Ospreys to 25-for-69 (.362) shooting overall.
 
Espinal added eight rebounds and four assists, while senior guard Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) contributed 17 points and five assists. Sophomore forward Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) and freshman guard Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) chipped in nine tallies apiece.
 
Senior forward Darius Jerkins led Stockton with 15 points and sophomore forward Steve Ferebee pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
William Paterson will travel down Rt. 46 to take on Montclair State Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 8:00 p.m.
 
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