WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (13-7, 8-5 NJAC) boasted the early advantage but couldn't hold off visiting Rowan (14-5, 8-5 NJAC), 74-64, Jan. 26 at the Rec Center.

The Pioneers burst out of the gate, scoring the game's first 11 points en route to a 21-8 lead at the 11:39 mark.  The Profs responded, putting together a 17-4 burst to build a 30-27 edge with 2:23 remaining.  Matt Whitworth's three-pointer during the closing seconds allowed Rowan to carry a 33-31 advantage into the locker room.

Seven points from senior Fred Battee helped the Profs open the second period with a 9-2 run and pull ahead by a 42-33 count with 13:23 on the clock.  That advantage grew to as many as 16 (61-45, 5:19) as Rowan finished the game with a 41.8 (23-55) field-goal percentage, including 9-for-21 (.429) shooting from three-point range, while holding WP to a 22-for-68 (.324) night overall. 

Freshman guard/forward Terik Bridgeman (Harlem, N.Y./Nia Prep) had his eighth double-double of the season with team bests of 17 points and 15 rebounds, adding four blocked shots.  Senior guard Rick DeStefano (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) scored 14 tallies, senior guard/forward Lance Brown (Teaneck, N.J./Paterson Catholic) had 10 points and seven boards, and sophomore guard Jaques Conceicao (Massama-Lisboa, Portugal/Francais Charle Lepierre) contributed eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Junior Phil Jackson scored 12 of his game-best 18 points during the first half for Rowan.  Senior Dee Benson contributed 13 tallies and 12 rebounds, and Whitworth finished with 13 points.

William Paterson will visit Rutgers-Newark Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 8:00 p.m.

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