William Paterson University Athletics

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (1-2) was edged 77-76 by Western Connecticut State (1-1) on the final day of the Rick Martin/Hampton Inn Classic Nov. 11.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers opened the second half on a 10-2 run to grab a 12-point advantage (44-32) with 16:58 on the clock.
• Western Connecticut State responded with a 12-3 run to trim the deficit to three (47-44) with 12:32 remaining in the game. The Wolves evened the score at 56-56 with 8:36 left to play and the two sides began to trade baskets.
• With 1:35 remaining, a Wolves jumper tied the game at 71-71 and sparked a 7-2 run that put Western Connecticut ahead by three (76-73). A made free throw at the six-second mark extended the Wolves' lead to four and sealed the win for the Western Connecticut State as a Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) 3-pointer at the buzzer was not enough for the Pioneers.  

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Summers Jr. shot 8-of-16 (.500) from the floor and 3-of-5 (.600) from deep for a season-best 22 points.
• Junior David Martinez (Maywood, N.J./Hackensack) knocked down six 3-pointers and logged a career-high 22 points to pair with six rebounds.
• Junior Neftali Valentin (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) finished with 11 points, four assists and three boards.
• Junior Andre Wells (Matawan, N.J./Matawan) tallied 11 points and five rebounds.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns to the Sports and Recreation Center Wednesday, Nov. 15, for a 5:00 p.m. game against Penn College.   

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia