DANBURY, CT- The William Paterson men's basketball team (6-4) earned a 71-56 road victory against Cabrini (4-8) in the first round of the Hat City Tournament on Dec. 29.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers' jumped out to an early 14-7 lead just five minutes into the game.
• A three pointer from senior guard Nick Rodriguez (Redding, Calif./Shasta) would give WP a 35-23 lead with 4:40 remaining in the first half.
• The Pioneers' controlled both ends of the floor in the second half, with another Rodriguez three pointer giving WP a 68-49 lead with 4:56 left to play.
• The WP lead never fell under double-digits the whole second half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Junior guard Jadon Cepeda (West New York, N.J./Memorial) led the Pioneers' in scoring with 17, while adding six rebounds.
• Senior forward Adryan Lopez (Garfield, N.J./Lyndhurst) finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
• Junior forward Michael Gilmore (Teaneck, N.J./Pine Forge Academy) finished with his first career double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 boards. 
• Rodriguez ended with 14 points.

UP NEXT:

• WP will face off against New Paltz in the championship of the Hat City Tournament on the road on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 11:00 a.m.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia