McGee also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots for the Pioneers (7-2), who have now held six straight opponents to 55 points or fewer and three straight to 50 or less. The victors, who also received 17 points from senior guard Robert Sullivan, owned a 51-32 rebounding edge.
Senior forward Josh Buck led all scorers with 20 points while also added eight rebounds and three steals for the Mariners (4-2), who lost for the first time against a Division III opponent. They shot just 17 of 56 from the floor and 4 of 23 from 3-point range.
William Paterson led by as many as 15 points a few times in the second half, but U.S.M.M.A. cut the lead to eight points in the final minutes. However, McGee hit two free throws and Sullivan added one to help the Pioneers hold off the Mariners’ late charge.
Junior forward Nick Torres added 10 points and eight rebounds, while junior forward Miguel Rodriguez paced William Paterson with nine rebounds.
Senior guard Sky Holm added 11 points, six rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals for U.S.M.M.A.
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William Paterson returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 29, when it travels to York (NY) for a 6 p.m. non-league game. U.S.M.M.A. return to action the same day when it takes on Lycoming at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Randolph Macon College Tournament.