WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (1-0) held off a stubborn York, N.Y. (0-1) squad for a 72-61 victory in the men's basketball season opener for both teams Nov. 15 at the Recreation Center.

Junior guard Lance Brown (Teaneck, N.J./Paterson Catholic) had a double-double with his 18 points and game-best 16 rebounds in his WP debut, adding three assists and a pair of steals.  Junior guard Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) chipped in 17 tallies, and juniors Rick DeStefano (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) and Julio Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) each added 11 points.

The Pioneers built an early 20-13 lead (11:46), getting contributions from six different scorers, but the Cardinals would not give in, reeling off a 10-0 run thanks to seven straight points by junior Tony Vails, for a 23-20 advantage with 7:14 remaining.  Seven lead changes and a pair of ties marked the final five minutes of the half, but Brown's tip-in at the buzzer allowed William Paterson to take a 37-33 lead into the locker room.

A 13-7 spurt to start the second period handed WP a 50-40 edge (15:59), and when York threatened by making it a four-point contest at 50-46 with 12:43 remaining, Rosario sparked a mini 9-3 run with his layup, helping the Pioneers extend it to double digits again at 59-49 with 9:22 on the clock.

The Cardinals continued to hang around, getting as close as 63-58 with 6:09 to play, but Chandler's layup and Rosario's three-point play during the next three minutes kept York at bay down the stretch.

William Paterson outscored York 42-22 in the paint and 24-11 on second-chance points, compiling a 42-36 rebounding advantage (17-13 offensive).

Vails led all scorers with 30 points on 8-for-12 (.667) shooting overall and a 14-for-19 (.737) effort at the charity stripe.  Shamir Wilkinson added nine tallies, and Omari Phipps contributed 10 rebounds for York.

William Paterson will face King's in the first round of the Stevens Tip-Off Tournament Friday, Nov. 18, at 6:00 p.m.