EWING, N.J. – Sophomore guard
Domenic Mignone's (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) first career double-double led four Pioneers in double figures as William Paterson (16-9, 11-7 NJAC) rallied from a 14-point deficit to upend The College of New Jersey (13-12, 9-9 NJAC), 91-78 in the regular season finale for both teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After WP went ahead 10-9, TCNJ used a 10-2 run that span 3:37 to claim a 19-12 advantage midway through the opening half. The Lions would lead by as many as 14 (39-25, 5:54) before the Pioneers started to click offensively, cutting the deficit to four, 49-45. With TCNJ holding a seven-point edge with seconds remaining in the opening frame, Mignone's layup at the buzzer capped off a 15-point first-half performance for the sophomore guard as the Pioneers trailed 52-47 at intermission.
- WP's momentum continued when play resumed as back-to-back three-pointers by Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) and Justin Lingat (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) tied things up at 59-59. Trailing 78-75 with 4:06 left in regulation, a pair of Myles McLeod (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) trifectas highlighted a 16-0 run as the Pioneers kept the Lions off the board for the rest of the contest and cruised to the 91-78 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Mignone, the reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) player of the week, scored a team-high 21 points and pulled down 11 boards. McLeod scored 14 of his 19 tallies in the second half, while classmate Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) added 14 points.
- Lingat finished the night with 10 points, his second double digit scoring output of the season and Nasir Fields (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) and Hershell Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./Timber Creek) registered nine and seven points, respectively.
- WP matched its season-high by winning its fifth straight contest.
UP NEXT:
- Fifth-seeded WP will play at fourth-seeded Ramapo (17-8, 11-7 NJAC) Saturday, Feb. 16, at 3:00 p.m. in the first round of the NJAC Tournament.
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