NEWARK, N.J..- The ninth-seeded William Paterson men's basketball team (14-12) held off a late run to upset first-seeded Alvernia (18-8) 88-85, advancing to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals Mar. 4.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Alvernia held a 22-20 lead at the 9:16 mark of the first half.
• A driving layup from junior forward Michael Gilmore (Teaneck, N.J./Pine Forge Academy) extended the WP lead to five (33-28) with 3:26 left in the first half.
• A corner three pointer from sophomore guard Patrick Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) gave the Pioneers a 39-34 lead entering halftime.
• The Golden Wolves cut the deficit to just two, at 48-46, with 15:34 left in regulation.
• Gilmore yet again extended the Pioneers lead with a three pointer to 11 (62-51), at the 12:28 mark.
• WP held a 79-67 lead with 2:46 left in regulation.
• A five-point swing from Alvernia put them within five points (85-80), with 44 seconds remaining.
• Following a pair of made free throws from freshman guard Neftali Valentin (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack), the Golden Wolves converted a four point play to make the score 87-83 WP.
• Alvernia hit a jumper with three seconds left to put them behind just two (87-85).
• Valentin would convert 1-of-2 (.500) free throws on the final possession, as the Golden Wolves missed the game-tying three pointer as time expired.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Junior forward Yvens Monfleury (Newark, N.J./American History) finished with a season-high 21 points, while grabbing 14 boards.
• Gilmore added 16 points and eight rebounds.
• Graduate student guard Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) scored 17 points and dished out three assists.
• Valentin finished with a career-high 12 points.

UP NEXT:

• The #9 seeded Pioneers' will play in the tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 5, at 3:00 p.m. in Newark, N.J., with an opponent yet to be determined.

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