With the victory, the Gothic Knights clinched a berth in the upcoming NJAC Tournament. NJCU leads the North Division with a 9-2 record, followed by Ramapo (8-2). William Paterson (5-6) is one game behind Rutgers-Newark (6-5) for the North’s third and final conference tournament bid.
The Pioneers were down by four (26-30) at halftime, but New Jersey City’s 12-2 run gave the Gothic Knights an 11-point lead (46-35) with 12 minutes to play. Senior Samir Sanu’s (Edison, N.J./Sayreville) three-pointer from the left wing capped an 8-1 spurt that pulled the Pioneers within three (48-51, 6:28), but William Paterson could get no closer in the game’s closing minutes.
Senior Luis Martinez (Passaic, N.J./Clifton) led the Pioneers with 22 points and seven rebounds. Junior Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) had 11 tallies and five steals, while senior John Rother (Sodus Point, N.Y./Sodus Central) added seven rebounds. Sophomore Dana John (Hillside, N.J./Pocono Mountain East) led the Gothic Knights with 29 points.
The Pioneers will play at Ramapo Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3:00 p.m. before finishing the regular season at home Wednesday, Feb. 14, against Rutgers-Newark at 8:00 p.m.