Wayne, NJ - Seniors Brandon Constantine (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) and Khayri Battle (Newark, NJ/Bayley-Ellard) combined for 47 points, setting the tone as William Paterson defeated Montclair State, 69-49, in a crucial New Jersey Athletic Conference Blue Division battle at the Rec Center.
With the victory, the Pioneers (15-9, 6-6 NJAC) need only a victory at New Jersey City on Wednesday, Feb. 18, or a loss by Montclair State (13-9, 4-7 NJAC) in either of its final two conference games (Wednesday at Rutgers-Camden; or Saturday, Feb. 21, at New Jersey City) to qualify for the NJAC Tournament beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24. Montclair State, meanwhile, needs to win its final two contests and get some help to qualify.
Battle scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half and also pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds for the Pioneers. Meanwhile, Constantine scored 17 of his 21 in the first 20 minutes, including all five of his 3-pointers. The duo were among five William Paterson seniors honored prior to the contest.
Sophomore
GIAN PAUL GONZALEZ (North Haledon, NJ/Manchester Regional) paced the Red Hawks (13-9, 4-7 NJAC) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. He also went 12-for-12 at the charity stripe in the first half to keep Montclair in the contest early.
The Pioneers started the game on an 11-2 run and led the entire contest. Montclair closed within 28-25 on two free throws by Gonzalez with 1:15 left in the first half, before Constantine buried back-to-back treys to enable William Paterson to take a 34-25 halftime lead.
Battle helped the Pioneers dominate the second half, going for 18 points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes after intermission as William Paterson led by as many as 26. William Paterson owned a 36-26 edge on the glass. Junior Tim Benoit (Roselle, NJ/Roselle Catholic) added eight points for the Pioneers.
For Montclair State, junior
LAMONT NEWELL (Lodi, NJ/Dwight Morrow) chipped in eight points.
The Pioneers return to action next Wednesday when they travel to New Jersey City for an 7 p.m. contest. Meanwhile, Montclair State faces Rutgers-Camden on the road the same day and same time.
