Nov 28, 2018
WAYNE, N.J. – Junior guard Sean Smith (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) knocked down eight three-pointers and scored 20 of his career-high 29 points in the first half as William Paterson (4-3, 1-1 NJAC) blew past No. 24 New Jersey City (4-2, 1-1 NJAC), 88-72, Nov. 28.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Up by one (12-11) early on, Smith connected on consecutive attempts from downtown to give WP a seven-point cushion. NJCU would regain the lead at 33-31, but Sajimir Asani's long three-pointer and nifty layup from Nasir Fields (Winslow Twp., N.J./Winslow Twp.) helped the Pioneers head into the break with a 38-37 edge.
- William Paterson started the second half on a 9-2 burst, punctuated by Justin Lingat's (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) and-1 that brought the crowd to its feet. The visitors wouldn't quit, trimming the deficit to six (50-44) following a fast break layup by Denzel Banks. Needing a spark, an up-and-under layup from Domenic Mignone (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) began a 16-4 run, as WP pushed its lead to 22 late in the half, before closing out the nationally-ranked Gothic Knights 88-72.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Smith's eight three-pointers was just one off the school record (9, Horace Jenkins, 2001 vs. Stockton), while Asani and Justin Lingat (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) each established personal-bests in scoring, adding 17 and 16, respectively.
- Mignone's eight assists shattered his previous high of five and Henry Voorhees (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) led all players with three blocks.
- This was the first victory for the Pioneers over a national-ranked team since a 100-78 triumph against No. 7 Mount Union in November of 2015.
UP NEXT:
- WP visits Rutgers-Camden on Dec.1 with tip-off slated for 3:00 p.m.
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