GLASSBORO, N.J. – The William Paterson men's basketball team (2-5, 0-3 NJAC) battled back from an 18-point first-half deficit to forge a six-point second-half lead but could not hold on down the stretch, suffering a 78-75 loss at Rowan (6-1, 3-0 NJAC) Dec. 3.

The Profs jumped out to a 17-7 lead less than five minutes into the contest and a 38-20 margin at the 7:09 mark before the Pioneers began chipping away, putting together a 14-3 run during the final 4:15 to get back to within seven, 41-34, at the break.

WP scored the first six points of the second half and eventually took a 58-57 lead when senior guard Galen Smith (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway Tech) drained a three-pointer with 10:16 to play. Rowan answered with a layup (59-58, 8:33) before Smith sparked an 8-2 burst with a layup, leading to a 66-61 William Paterson edge with 6:13 on the clock.

Senior guard Joseph Taylor (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the game when he converted a layup at the 5:09 mark, making it a 68-62 game. It remained a six-point margin almost three minutes later (74-68, 2:22), but turnovers by WP during its next six possessions, coupled with 3-for-4 shooting from the free-throw line and a layup by the Profs, left it a 74-73 William Paterson edge with a minute to play.

The two teams traded 1-for-2 free-throw efforts (75-74, 0:33) when a foul on a second-chance opportunity but Rowan sophomore guard Rob DePersia at the charity stripe. He made both attempts for a 76-75 Prof advantage with 21 seconds remaining. A kickout from the lane led to a good look from three for WP, but the shot hit the rim and was rebounded by Rowan. A foul allowed the Profs to make two free throws with one second left for the game's final points.

Smith produced 18 points and seven rebounds, and senior guard Turell McClendon (Newark, N.J./Piscataway Tech) contributed 14 tallies and nine boards. Taylor finished with 10 points and eight caroms, while senior guard Zach Frick (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) chipped in 12 tallies and five rebounds.

Senior forward Shawn Wilson had 17 points and six rebounds for Rowan. Junior forward TJ Booth added 11 tallies and six boards.

A 70.6 (101-143) percent free-throw shooting team entering the game, the Pioneers were just 13-for-24 (.542) from the line against the Profs.

William Paterson will play at Montclair State Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 6:00 p.m.

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