Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. (Feb. 10, 2018) – William Paterson University senior forward Richy Espinal (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) collected game-high totals of 26 points, 11 rebounds and three steals as the Pioneers outlasted Rutgers University-Camden, 68-60, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference men's basketball game here Saturday afternoon.
 
In a game that featured 19 total lead changes and five ties, Paterson broke the final tie, 58-58, on a pair of free throws by Espinal with 4:37 remaining to give the Pioneers the lead for good. Paterson raised its record to 13-11 overall and 8-9 in the NJAC, while Camden fell to 3-20 overall and 1-16 in the conference. It was the Raptors' ninth straight loss this season and gave Paterson a 59-7 lead in the all-time series.
 
The two teams were tied at 32-32 at halftime after a wild first half that featured 12 lead changes and three other tie scores. Senior guard Marcus Taylor (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) scored 10 points in the opening half for the Scarlet Raptors, while freshman guard John Herndon (Philadelphia, PA/West Catholic Prep) netted seven and senior guard Vincent Anfield Jr. (Mount Holly, Rancocas Valley) added six points and six rebounds. For Paterson, Espinal had 11 points at the break, while adding eight rebounds.
 
After six early lead changes in the second half, the Scarlet Raptors ran off 11 straight points to forge ahead, 48-39. That run included two treys by senior guard Charlie Riccardi (Mullica Hill, NJ/St. Joseph-Hammonton) and one by freshman guard Ian McCarthy (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic).
 
Espinal ended the Scarlet Raptors' run with a jumper midway through the second half, sparking a seven-point run that sliced the Rutgers-Camden lead to 48-46. After the teams deadlocked at 50-50 and 58-58, Espinal gave Paterson the final advantage on two foul shots with 4:37 remaining. Those shots started a 10-2 run for Paterson to close out the game.
 
In addition to the huge night from Espinal, the Pioneers received 13 points from senior guard Dapo Badmos (Toronto, Canada/The Kiski School), 11 from sophomore guard George Sapp (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) and 10 from senior forward Sean Smith (Moraga, CA/Campolindo). Sapp added a game-high six assists.
 
Taylor paced the Scarlet Raptors with 18 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Riccardi added 15 points and Anfield netted eight points and six boards. McCarthy, pictured above, collected five points, five rebounds and a team- and career-high four assists.
 
Paterson held a 41-33 advantage off the boards and shot 24-for-62 (38.7) from the field and 15-for-23 (65.2) from the foul line. Rutgers-Camden shot 20-for-50 (40.0) from the field and 13-for-18 (72.2) from the line.
 
The Scarlet Raptors close their season Wednesday with an 8 p.m. NJAC game at Montclair State University.