NEWARK, N.J. – William Paterson's (10-12, 6-9 NJAC) second-half comeback bid fell short at Rutgers-Newark (7-15, 6-9 NJAC), 66-61, in men's basketball action Feb. 4.

With three regular-season games remaining, William Paterson is tied for seventh in the league standings. The top six qualify for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament that begins Feb. 18.

Senior forward Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) collected his fourth career double-double with 15 points and a career best-tying 13 rebounds. Senior guard Joseph Taylor (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) finished with 11 tallies and nine boards, while junior guard George Sapp (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek) had 10 points.

The Scarlet Raiders owned their largest lead of the game with a 38-20 halftime margin, but three points from Sapp, senior guard Zach Frick (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) and Espinal helped WP put together a 13-0 run that left it a 38-33 Rutgers-Newark advantage at the 15:34 mark.

A Sapp three-pointer later made it a four-point game (49-45, 8:40) before six straight Raider points stretched it back to a double-digit lead (55-45, 4:49). Trailing 58-51 with 1:43 left, the Pioneers were forced to foul down the stretch, and Rutgers-Newark was 8-for-10 (.800) from the charity stripe to put the game away.

Freshman guard Chase Barneys had 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Scarlet Raiders. Senior forward Nadir Alston added 14 tallies and 12 boards.

William Paterson will host The College of New Jersey Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6:00 p.m.

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