UNION, N.J. –  Four Pioneers registered double-digit scoring outputs, but the William Paterson men's basketball team (9-13, 5-10 NJAC) dropped a heartbreaking 81-79 decision to New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Kean (6-16, 3-12 NJAC) Feb. 8.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Senior guard Anthony Uribe (Hackensack, N.J./Bergen Catholic) controlled the offensive pace for WP throughout the first half, scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 (.636) shooting from the field. As a team, the Pioneers knocked down 48.5 (16-33) percent of their attempts in the opening frame and led by four at the break, 44-40.
• After trading baskets for nearly 10 minutes, Kean broke through with a deep three-pointer to gain its first advantage in the second stanza (60-59, 10:53). After Uribe's jumper pushed the Pioneers ahead 76-74 with 2:12 remaining, the Cougars used a 7-1 run to open a four-point cushion (81-77) with less than a minute on the clock. WP had a chance to win it at the buzzer, by a shot from beyond-the-arc was off the mark and Kean escaped with the win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Uribe led all scorers with 23 tallies, his second 20+ point scoring contest this week.
• Senior forward Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) chipped in 16 points, while junior guard Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) also recorded 16 tallies to go along with a game-high five assists.
• Junior forward Nasir Fields (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) posted his third double-double of the season, capping off his evening with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

 
UP NEXT:

• WP welcomes Rowan to the Sports and Recreation Center Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:00 p.m.

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