Box Score

WAYNE, NJ – The William Paterson University men’s basketball team defeated Rowan University, 58-55 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers improve to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Profs have a 5-8 overall record with a 0-3 NJAC mark. Guard Gabriel Paul (sr. Newark, NJ/Hillside) scored a game-high 23 points. Guard Nick Allan (sr. Colonia, NJ/Colonia) followed with 16 points. Guard Paul Siljee (jr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) compiled seven points and seven rebounds.

Rowan center Chris Gebhart (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) posted a career best 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Forward Steve Secula (jr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) totaled 14 points and 10 boards. Guard Sean Hughes (sr. Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Boro) added nine points. Guard Jason Rosenberg (fr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) dished six assists.

The Profs were ahead 30-23 at halftime. Secula’s layup at 14:01 made the score 36-29. Allan answered with a three-pointer at 13:39 to pull the Pioneers within four (36-32). Rowan forward Tom Paterno (jr. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) nailed a jumper at 9:46 to stretch the advantage to five (44-39). William Paterson went on a 12-0 run to take a 51-44 lead at 6:11. Siljee scored five of the 12 points.

Back-to-back baskets by Secula (5:33) and Hughes (4:59) cut the deficit to three (51-48). Paul’s three-point play at 2:31 made the score 54-48. After two points by Rosenberg (1:51), Paul had a layup and a free throw (1:21) that extended the lead to seven (57-50). Secula sunk two foul shots at 1:04 and Pioneers’ guard James Bryant (jr. Spring Valley, NY/St. Patrick’s) converted one of two free throws at the 37 second mark. Gebhart’s three-pointer with three seconds left ended the scoring.

William Paterson was up 14-11 at 12:08 in the first period after a foul shot by forward Shaun Canty (sr. Carlstadt, NJ/Paramus Catholic). Gebhart’s baskets at 11:48 and 11:17 put Rowan ahead, 15-14. Secula added a jumper at 9:56 to push the advantage to three (17-14). Paul scored at 7:19 and Allan made a three-pointer at 4:56 to give the Pioneers a two-point lead (21-19).

Rowan had a 9-0 surge, making the score 28-21 at 2:13. Gebhart recorded five points, while guard Laud Anderson (sr. North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick Twp.) and Secula each had two. Allan hit a jumper at 1:42. Secula’s basket at 1:10 gave Rowan a 30-23 advantage at the intermission.

Rowan travels to conference opponent Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday, January 12 at 8 p.m.