Feb 04, 2026
WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (7-14, 2-12 NJAC) held on to claim a 65-63 tightly-contested New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win against Rutgers-Newark (4-16, 1-12 NJAC) Feb. 4 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After both sides traded baskets for most of the night, the Pioneers trailed by three (56-53) with 5:57 remaining in the game following a 6-1 run by the Scarlet Raiders.
- WP countered with eight unanswered points to go ahead by five (61-56) with 3:03 left to play. However, Rutgers-Newark responded immediately with a 7-0 run to regain the advantage (63-61) with less than a minute remaining.
- Sophomore Jianni Moran was fouled while shooting a shot from deep with 37 seconds on the clock and buried all three foul shots to put WP on top, 64-63.
- Rutgers-Newark missed a shot on its ensuing possession and the Pioneers held on for the 65-63 home win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Moran had a career-high 23 points.
- It marked the first 20-point game of his career.
- Senior Ethan Paul shot 6-of-12 (.500) from the field for a 15-point performance while contributing nine rebounds, three steals, two assists and a pair of blocks.
- Sophomore Delani Hyde poured in 12 points on 5-of-9 (.556) shooting, adding nine boards, two steals and a block.
- Freshman Nahsir Merrick finished with 11 points and a career-high six assists to go with four rebounds, two steals and a block.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will head on the road to face off against New Jersey City Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
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