WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (3-6, 1-4 NJAC) built a 15-point lead during the first half, then held off a second-period Stockton (3-4, 1-4 NJAC) rally for a 61-57 victory Dec. 10.

A 9-0 Pioneer run transformed a 17-11 lead at the 12:26 mark into a 26-11 WP advantage with 8:32 remaining in the first half. William Paterson entered the locker room with a 38-25 edge, thanks in large part to 14-for-24 (.583) shooting from the field while limiting the Ospreys to a 9-for-29 (.310) effort.

Stockton came out firing after halftime, starting the period with a 16-4 burst to pull within one at 42-41 with 13:26 on the clock. When a fast-break dunk by senior guard Joseph Taylor (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) pushed WP ahead by a 50-43 count with 10:00 to play, the Ospreys responded with six unanswered points to again make it a one-point margin (50-49, 6:18).

The two teams traded baskets during the next four minutes, resulting in a 55-55 deadlock with 2:25 remaining. Senior guard Zach Frick (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) drained a three-pointer from the right corner with 1:18 left, handing the Pioneers a 58-55 edge, and an Osprey turnover and WP miss led to a Brandon Hamilton transition bucket (58-57, 0:23). Stockton was forced to foul and junior guard Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School) made the first of two attempts for a 59-57 margin with 15 seconds to play.

Hamilton had a chance to tie it with 3.3 seconds left but missed both free throws. William Paterson finished the scoring with a lob over the top of the press and a Taylor layup as time expired.

Senior guard Galen Smith (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway Tech) finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Taylor had 13 tallies, four boards and three assists. Senior forward Fredrik Hagbarth (Stockholm, Sweden/Kungsholmens Gymnasium) scored each of his career-high 10 points during the first half, and senior guard Turell McClendon (Newark, N.J./Piscataway Tech) notched eight tallies and a game-best seven rebounds.

Hamilton led Stockton with 17 points. Junior guard Zavon Johnson added 11 tallies.

WP finished with a .533 (24-45) field-goal percentage while limiting the Ospreys to 22-for-56 (.393) shooting. The Pioneers also committed seven more turnovers (24-17) but owned a 16-15 advantage in points scored off the miscues.

William Paterson will host York (N.Y.) Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7:00 p.m.

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