WAYNE, N.J. – A career-high 26-point performance from junior Shawn Summers Jr. helped propel the William Paterson men's basketball team (9-8, 3-7 NJAC) to a 70-63 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory over Kean (13-4, 6-4 NJAC) at the Sports and Recreation Center on Jan. 18.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers came out for the second half with a six-point advantage (26-20) and wasted no time building on their lead. Over the first 4:04 of the second half, William Paterson shot 6-of-8 (.750) from the field with two 3-pointers and extended the lead to 20 (40-20) following a 14-0 run.
• Kean made several runs in the second stanza, but the Pioneers continuously had an answer to maintain the double-digit advantage. With 2:06 remaining in the game, the Cougars went on a 13-3 run to pull within six (69-63), but William Paterson prevented any further damage and secured the home conference victory.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Summers Jr. shot 10-of-16 (.625) from the field and 4-of-7 (.571) from deep for his career-high 26 points to go with six rebounds and three steals.
• It marked the fourth 20-point performance of the season for the Montclair, N.J., native.
• Sophomore Neftali Valentin also finished in double figures with 11 points.
• Senior Adryan Lopez and junior Tyreek Montgomery recorded nine points apiece.
• Senior Michael Gilmore reeled in a team-best seven rebounds while adding four assists, three steals and five points.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will welcome Rowan to the Sports and Recreation Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, for a 3:00 p.m. NJAC contest.