Montclair, NJ -  Senior forward Nick Torres scored16 points and Samir Sanu hit what proved to be the winning three-pointer as William Paterson scored the final eight pointsand held Montclair State scoreless for the final five minutes ina 55-53 win in NJAC Men's Basketball action at Panzer Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

Tyreek Rolon had 10 points and four assists as the Pioneers (13-5, 8-3 NJAC), stayed atop the NJAC standings with the win. WPU also swept the season series from its backyard rival as it posted a 59-49 win in Wayne back in November.

JONATHAN ARTHUR posted game-highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds forthe Red Hawks (9-9, 5-6), who lost for the third time in their last four games. GIAN PAUL GONZALEZ,the nation's No. 4 scorer had 15 points for MSU.

Montclair State jumped out toa 15-6 lead in the first half as Gonzalez beat the shot clock with a three-pointer, but William Paterson got back into the game and trimmed the lead to 30-27 at halftime. In the second half the Pioneers battled back and took 45-36 lead as Sanu drained a three-pointer at 10:27 to make the score, 45-39. Montclair State then went ona 10-0 run over the next three minutes to regain the lead as Gonzalez scored eight of his points. A free throw by MAURICE TORRES put the Red Hawks in front 53-47 with 5:07 to play.

William Paterson would makeits game-ending run as Torres scored on a layup and Tim Lucas' jumper pulled the Pioneers within 53-51 with 3:29 remaining. Following a missed shot by MSU, Sanu buried a three from the left side toput WPU ahead, 54-53 with 2:39 to play. Montclair State would have its chances, however, the Red Hawks would fail to connect from the field missing all eight of their attempts.

Rolon would add a free throw with 21 seconds to go for the two-point margin. Montclair State would have a chance to tie, but misfired on its final two attempts in the last four seconds.

Sanu added six assists and three blocks for WPU, which shot 10-of-19 (53 percent) from the fieldin the second half. MAURICE TORRES had nine points for the Red Hawks while JAMAL FORD had three points,three rebounds and six assists.

Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, January 28 as MSU hosts Rutgers-Newark at Pazner Gym in a 4:00 pm NJAC matchup. William Paterson is also in action that day hosting Richard Stockton at 1:00 pm.