STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Another strong second half allowed the William Paterson men's basketball team (8-2) to hand Penn State Behrend (7-1) its first loss of the season, 71-58, Dec. 28 in the first round of Staten Island's Tournament of Heroes.

The Pioneers will play the host Dolphins in the championship game Monday, Dec. 29, at 7:30 p.m.

WP led for most of the first half, including a 25-16 advantage with 6:36 to play, but the Lions closed the period with a 15-5 run to carry a one-point lead (31-30) into the locker room.

As has become their calling card this season, the Pioneers made their surge during the second half, finishing the contest with a 21-8 burst for the 13-point victory. After shooting 36.4 (12-33) percent from the field during the first period, William Paterson was 12-for-16 (.750) during the final 20 minutes, including 6-for-7 (.857) from three-point range.

Senior guard Sandy Burgos (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee) scored a game-high 21 points on 8-for-14 (.571) shooting, while junior forward Terik Bridgeman (Harlem, N.Y./Nia Prep) made five of his six (.833) field goals for 15 tallies, six rebounds and four blocked shots. Junior forward James McLane (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) contributed 12 points, and senior guard Jaques Conceicao (Massama-Lisboa, Portugal/Francais Charle Lepierre) added seven boards and seven assists.

Senior guard Nick DeLisio led Penn State Behrend with 19 points, and junior forward Zane Hackett posted 12 tallies and six rebounds.

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