UNION, N.J. – William Paterson (14-9, 9-7 NJAC) secured a bid for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Men's Basketball Tournament with a 53-46 victory at Kean (6-17, 5-11 NJAC) Feb. 6.

Senior guard/forward Lance Brown (Teaneck, N.J./Paterson Catholic) led the Pioneers with 17 points, adding seven rebounds, while senior guard Julio Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) finished with 12 tallies and three steals.  Freshman guard/forward Terik Bridgeman (Harlem, N.Y./Nia Prep) had nine points and a game-best 15 rebounds.

Tied at 39-39 with 4:43 remaining, Rosario poured in seven straight points, the start of a 12-1 run that pushed WP ahead for a commanding 51-40 lead with 31 seconds remaining.

William Paterson owned a 41-30 advantage on the boards, including an 18-9 edge on the offensive glass, for a 12-5 lead in second-chance points.

Michael Burton and Kyle Latorre each scored 14 points for Kean.

William Paterson will play at Rutgers-Camden Saturday, Feb. 9, at 3:00 p.m.

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