SCRANTON, Pa. – Junior forward
Nasir Fields (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) collected his first double-double of the season as William Paterson men's basketball (3-0) held off a late surge by host Scranton (2-1) to win, 75-69, in the championship round of the Hilton Scranton Innovational Nov 16.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Leading 18-16 mid way through the opening frame, William Paterson scored 16 of the next 20 points its build its biggest lead of the first half, 34-20, and held a 36-26 edge at the break.
- The Pioneers continued their offensive efficiency following intermission by building a 17-point cushion (57-40) with 11:22 remaining. With less than two minutes left in the game, the Royals made their move as a 10-1 burst made it a one-possession game, 70-67, with 38 seconds left on the clock. However, WP made 5-of-6 free throws in the final moments to come away with the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Fields finished 6-of-8 (.750) from the floor and added 11 rebounds.
- Senior guard Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) knocked down five three-pointers on his way to a 17-point outing, while junior Nick Rodriguez (Redding, Calif./Shasta) added 11 tallies.
- Following an off night during the tournament's opening round, junior Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) returned to form by contributing 11 points, five rebounds and five assists to the triumph.
- Afterwards, Smith was named tournament MVP, and Fields was added to the all-tournament team.
UP NEXT:
- WP visits Moravian Wednesday, Nov. 20, for a non-conference clash beginning at 7:00 p.m.
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