Video Highlights

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson's (13-11, 8-9 NJAC) three seniors combined for 50 points as the Pioneers picked up a crucial 68-60 men's basketball victory against Rutgers-Camden (3-20, 1-16 NJAC) on Senior Day Feb. 10. Senior forward Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) led the way with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Senior guard Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) posted 13 tallies, while classmate George Sapp (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) finished with 11 points and six assists.
 
The Pioneers are tied with Stockton (8-9 NJAC) for sixth place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings. One regular-season game remains Wednesday, Feb. 14, and the top six teams will qualify for the NJAC Tournament. The top two seeds will earn byes and the third and fourth seeds will host the fifth and sixth seeds for first-round games on Saturday, Feb. 17.
 
During a tightly-contested first half that featured five ties and 12 lead changes, neither side could create a margin larger than four. The two teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 32-32 with Espinal the leading scorer with 11 points.
 
The Scarlet Raptors opened the second period with a 16-7 burst to create a nine-point lead at 48-39 (14:57), but four consecutive points from Espinal and a Badmos three-point play helped WP put together a 15-2 run of their own to seize a 54-50 advantage with 8:36 left. When Rutgers-Camden knotted the score at 58-58 with 5:07 on the clock, WP scored eight of the next nine points, capped by an Espinal three-pointer as the shot clock was about to expire, to take control of game at 66-59 with 50 seconds to play.
 
Sophomore forward Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) added 10 points and five rebounds for the Pioneers, who generated a 15-6 edge in second-chance points and an 8-0 scoring edge on the fast break.
 
Senior guard Marcus Taylor paced the Scarlet Raptors with 18 points and six rebounds. Classmate Charlie Riccardi added 15 tallies.
 
William Paterson will finish the regular season Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Kean at 8:00 p.m.
 
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