WAYNE, N.J. – Fourth-seeded William Paterson (17-9) cruised to a 71-56 victory against fifth-seeded Rowan (17-9) in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Men's Basketball Tournament Feb. 16 at the Rec Center.  The Pioneers advance to play at top-seeded Ramapo in the semifinal round Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:00 p.m.

WP took control of the game with a 16-1 run that transformed a 7-6 deficit into a 22-8 lead with 9:26 remaining in the first half.  The Pioneers owned a 40-19 edge by the break, shooting 44.1 (15-34) percent from the field while limiting the Profs to a 6-for-23 (.261) effort, dominating the glass 24-13, and turning the ball over just four times during the game's first 20 minutes.  Freshman guard/forward Terik Bridgeman (Harlem, N.Y./Nia Prep) was 4-for-7 (.571) from the floor for 12 points, while senior guard Rick DeStefano (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) drained three three-pointers for nine first-half tallies.

Rowan could not muster an answer during the second period, never drawing closer than 14, as William Paterson was 16-for-17 (.941) from the free-throw line during the final 20 minutes and 21-for-23 (.913) overall.

DeStefano led three Pioneers in double figures with 17 points, sinking four of the eight (.500) three-pointers he attempted.  Bridgeman finished with 14 tallies and 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season, and senior guard/forward Lance Brown (Teaneck, N.J./Paterson Catholic) had 11 points and nine boards.  Sophomore guard Jaques Conceicao (Massama-Lisboa, Portugal/Francais Charle Lepierre) chipped in eight points and 11 rebounds, while senior guard Julio Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) dished out a game-best six assists.

Junior Jason Rosenberg led the Profs with 18 points, senior Dee Benson had 15 tallies and nine rebounds, and senior Kendall White contributed 13 points and seven boards.

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