JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (5-9, 1-6 NJAC) was edged 91-87 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game at New Jersey City (10-4, 5-2 NJAC) Jan. 11.   
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a back-and-forth battle for most of the afternoon, but the Pioneers trailed by nine (71-62) with 7:26 remaining in the game following an 18-8 run by the Gothic Knights.
• William Paterson began to chip into the deficit and a layup by senior David Martinez (Maywood, N.J./Hackensack) with 1:49 on the clock made it a two-point game (85-83).
• Despite two made baskets in the closing minute, William Paterson could not successfully mount the comeback and fell, 91-87.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Senior Neftali Valentin (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) shot 9-of-18 (.500) from the field and 6-of-10 (.600) from deep for a game-high 24 points.
• It marked his third 20-point performance of the season.
• He added three rebounds, three assists and three steals to his stat line.
• Senior Andre Wells (Matawan, N.J./Matawan) went 8-for-13 (.615) from the floor for 20 points to go with six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
• It was Wells' fourth 20-point game this season.
• Martinez posted an 18-point performance.
• Freshman Delani Hyde (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) had seven points, five boards and three blocks.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will square off against Ramapo Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Mahwah, N.J.

 
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