HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 19, 2011) – William Paterson University was able to overcome a 23-point second-half deficit to defeat Stevens Institute of Technology, 112-107, in triple overtime on Saturday afternoon in the Stevens Tip-Off Tournament Championship game. The Pioneers were led by tournament MVP Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) who had 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in 50 minutes of action. Junior guard Sheldon Jones (Queens, N.Y.) and senior forward Simon Smith (Cranford, N.J.) had 28 points apiece to lead the Ducks.

The Ducks (2-1) took a 44-31 into the locker room after shooting 66.7 percent from the field in the first half and connecting on 6-of-8 from long range. That lead expanded to 23 with 10:12 remaining after a three-pointer from sophomore guard Andrew Meszaros (Phoenixville, Pa.), but the Pioneers did not quit, coming all the way back to force the game into overtime.

Over the last 9:18, William Paterson used a ferocious press to outscore Stevens 38-15. With nine seconds on the clock and the Ducks up 78-76, Paterson took a three-pointer that did not draw rim but did find the hands of junior guard Julio Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J.) who put the rebound up and in to send the game into overtime.

Stevens held a three-point lead late in the first overtime after sophomore guard Matt Skrelja (Clark, N.J.) converted two at the line to make it 88-85, but WPU had the answer in the form of junior forward Lance Brown (Teaneck, N.J.), who banked in a three from the right wing with six seconds left to force the contest into a second overtime.

The visitors held the lead for most of the second overtime but Jones gave Stevens some heroics with two seconds left, draining a three-pointer to tie things at 102 after a nice pass from junior guard Russ Thompson (West Orange, N.J.).

Stevens opened the overtime No. 3 with a layup from Smith but a three from freshman guard Jaques Conceicao (Massama-Lisboa, Portugal) gave William Paterson the lead at 105-104 with 4:20 left. Sophomore forward Kevin McManamy (Charlotte, N.C.) tied the game, making 1-of-2 at the line, and each team scored on its next possession.

Chandler converted a pair at the line with 1:38 left to put the Pioneers (3-0) back on top, and when the Ducks could not score on their next possession, another Chandler free throw made it 110-107 Paterson with 16 seconds.

On its final possession, Stevens could not find the range from three and junior guard Rick DeStefano (Marlboro, N.J.) iced the game with two free throws.

Stevens shot 56.7 percent (38-for-67) from the field and 9-for-19 (47.4 percent) from three-point range. The Ducks were just 22-for-40 from the free-throw line and committed 32 turnovers.

Smith finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Jones had 28 points, five boards and three assists. Thompson had 14 assists, 11 points and 4 rebounds, while senior guard Michael Cutri (West Caldwell, N.J.) added 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. McManamy was excellent off the bench with seven points, five rebounds and three assists, while Meszaros finished with six points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward Max Schwartz (Bridgewater, N.J.) had six points in eight minutes.

Paterson shot 41.9 percent for the game (39-of-93) and 12-for-39 from three (30.8 percent). The Pioneers were 22-for-30 from the line. Stevens ended with a 47-45 edge on the glass and a 30-21 advantage in assists, but Paterson committed 10 fewer turnovers (32-22).

In addition to Chandler, Brown had 21 points and eight rebounds, while DeStefano had 18 points and four boards.

Stevens will host Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham on November 22 at 8 p.m. All the action will be webcast live at www.Empire8.tv.