MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Despite a career high-tying 29 points from senior forward Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park), the William Paterson men's basketball team (11-10, 6-8 NJAC) couldn't overcome host Montclair State (16-5, 10-4 NJAC), 97-90, Jan. 31.
 
Espinal poured in 29 tallies for the second straight game while collecting a team-best seven rebounds. Sophomore forward Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) scored 19 points, senior guard Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) had 14 tallies and three assists, and classmate George Sapp (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) produced 13 points and five boards. Junior guard Peter Martinez (Stockton, Calif./Dublin) rounded out WP's double-digit scorers with 10.
 
The Pioneers got off to a hot start, scoring 14 of the game's first 16 points, but the Red Hawks recovered for a 22-10 run to end the half and a 41-36 lead at the break.
 
Montclair State's advantage grew to as many as 15 (77-62, 9:07) during the second period, but WP roared back with an 18-7 burst to get within four at 84-80 with 3:35 on the clock. An Espinal free throw briefly made it a one-possession game (86-83, 2:28), but the Pioneers could get no closer as MSU made nine of its 10 free-throw attempts down the stretch.
 
Foul trouble limited WP's options late, as four players fouled out and two more ended the game with four apiece. All told, the Pioneers were whistled for 32 fouls and Montclair State was charged with 30.
 
Senior forward Jarrett Bogus led MSU with 24 points and freshman guard Myles Mitchell-White added 20 tallies.
 
WP finds itself in a three-way tie for fifth place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings with four regular-season contests remaining. The top six teams will qualify for the NJAC Tournament that begins Saturday, Feb. 17.
 
William Paterson will return home Saturday, Feb. 3, to take on Rutgers-Newark at 3:00 p.m.
 
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