William Paterson (13-9, 5-9 NJAC) took two 3-pointers in the waning moments, but both rimmed out and enabled the Cougars (12-10, 6-7 NJAC) to snap a four-game losing streak.
Coles’ free throws put Kean ahead 54-52. Junior forward BJ Hamby and sophomore guard Ozie Pela each hit a free throw in the final minute to put Kean up 56-54.
Kean held on after squandering a 48-41 advantage. William Paterson tied the game at 48-all on a 3-pointer by junior guard b(Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy), who paced his team with 13 points, with 5:19 remaining. That would be the Pioneers’ final field goal, although they did grab a 51-50 lead with 3:57 left after two free throws by sophomore forward Luis Martinez.
Pela, however, hit two free throws with 3:12 to go which helped Kean go 52-51. William Paterson junior guard Mario Rivero went 1-for-2 at the charity stripe to make it 52-all with 1:20 to go, but the Pioneers missed their final four field goal attempts, all 3-point tries. DeLosAngeles hit two free throws with :20 remaining to pull the Pioneers with 55-54 before Pela hit another try from the charity stripe.
Senior forward Russell Jordan chipped in eight points and junior guard Tan Kesler added seven points and nine rebounds for Kean, which shot 51.5 percent (17-for-33) from the floor and 67.7 percent (21-for-31) from the charity stripe.
Freshman guard Chris Severe was the William Paterson’s next highest scorer with seven points. The Pioneers shot just 32.7 percent (18-for-55) and 56.5 percent (13-for-23) at the foul line.
William Paterson returns to action Saturday, Feb. 12, when it travels to New Jersey City for a 7 p.m. non-conference contest. Kean also hits the road the same day, trekking to NJAC rival Rutgers-Camden for a 3 p.m. tip-off.