Montclair, NJ – Graduate-student guard Domenic Mignone finished with 20 points leading five players in double figures as William Paterson knocked off Montclair State, 84-74 at the Panzer Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.
Senior guard Adryan Lopez and junior guard Justin Cepeda added 18 points apiece as the Pioneers won for the fourth time in their last five outings. WPU is now 5-2 overall, 3-1 in NJAC play.
Senior forward STEVEN BREEMAN led all players with 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Red Hawks, who fell back to the .500 mark at 4-4 overall, 1-3 in conference action. Senior IRVING CALLENDER IV also had 13 points and 13 rebounds.
After falling behind early, William Paterson used a 21-8 run over five minutes to build a 25-14 lead with 9:34 remaining. Lopez had eight in the spurt as WPU made 8-of-9 shots, including all five three-point attempts. Mignone capped the run with a three-pointer. MSU would get within 25-22 on a three-pointer by MIKE JACKSON. However, Nick Rodriguez hit two free throws and Mignone a layup pushing the lead back to 29-23. Mignone's three-pointer got the lead to nine points (34-25) before WPU settled for a 39-32 advantage at the break.
The Red Hawks would tie the game in the opening minutes of the second half. Callender hit in the paint, knotting the contest at 43-43. Brian Monaghan's jumper ignited a quick 8-0 run sending WPU back on top, 51-43 with 14:44 left. Breeman's three-pointer trimmed the margin to 55-50, but Cody Ripato scored from close range, with Lopez adding a three as the Pioneers boosted their lead back to 60-50.
Montclair would get back within 68-61 with five minutes to play, but Monaghan hit from deep on the next possession. MSU would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Monaghan and Nick Rodriguez each had 10 points for WPU, which got six boards apiece from Cedepa, Monaghan, and Rodriguez. Mignone rounded out his evening with five rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Jackson and GREG ECK each put up nine points for MSU.
Montclair State is in Galloway, NJ, for its next contest on Saturday as the Red Hawks battle NJAC Preseason co-favorite Stockton University at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 11.
