GLASSBORO, N.J. – Nasir Fields' (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) second double-double of the season led four Pioneers in double figures as William Paterson (14-9, 9-7 NJAC) moved one step closer to securing a New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament bid after defeating Rowan (17-6, 11-5 NJAC), 94-89, Feb. 6.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With Rowan holding a slim 13-12 edge at the 13:37 mark of the opening half, a pair of fastbreak layups by Justin Lingat (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) and Jared Bennett (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) pushed WP in front. After a Profs' jumper made it a two-possession game late in the first, WP used a 12-0 burst that covered nearly four minutes to open a 17-point cushion (40-23, 3:18) and led 45-30 at the break.   
• Following intermission, William Paterson was able to keep its lead in double-digits thanks to three-pointers by Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) and Sajimir Asani (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton). Rowan responded with a 14-1 burst of its own to make it a six-point game (53-47, 14:21), but Myles McLeod's (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) trifecta on the next possession quieted the crowd as WP built the lead back to 12, 66-54, at the midway point of period. A late push by Rowan allowed the home team to make it a one-point affair three times in the final 90 seconds, but WP hit 10 straight from the free throw line to close out the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Fields' scored 16 of his career-best 20 points in the opening half while knocking down all eight of his free throws and grabbing 11 boards.
• Myles McLeod (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) accounted for 18 tallies. Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) added 14 tallies and Anthony handed out four assists to go along with nine points.
• WP's 94-point output was a season-high as was its 29 made free throws.
• Win the victory, WP moves into a fourth-place tie with Montclair State with two contests remaining. 

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson celebrates Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 9, when the Pioneers host Ramapo at 3:00 p.m.

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