Martinez scored 16 of his points in the second half and also grabbed six rebounds for the Pioneers (11-3, 6-2 NJAC), who moved into a first-place tie with a Gothic Knights' (10-4, 6-2 NJAC) squad that had won nine of 10 entering the contest. Senior guard Mario Rivero (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) added 10 points and five boards for William Paterson, which outrebounded NJCU, 48-30, and owned a 44-18 edge on points in the paint. The Pioneers held the Gothic Knights to 28.1 percent shooting (18-of-64) while converting 50.0 percent (31-of-62) of their attemkpts.
Senior forward Mark Washington (East Orange, NJ/West Side) led all scorers with 21 points and five rebounds for New Jersey City, while junior forward Abraham Williams (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) added 13 points. Washington moved into 10th place all-time in scoring at NJCU, surpassing Gothic Knight head coach Charles Brown; he now has 1,043 points.
New Jersey City led 17-12 after a lay-up by WIlliams with 11:25 remaining, but William Paterson embarked on a 12-0 run to take a 24-17 lead after a three-point play by freshman guard Tim Lucas (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) with 7:24 left in the first half. The Pioneers never trailed again and took a 37-25 lead into halftime. New Jersey City never got closer than eight points in the second half.
Sophomore guard Joey Spiegel (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) finished with nine points for William Paterson, while sophomore guard Tyreek Rolon (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) added eight points and four assists. Sophomore guard Jason Cameron (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) finished with six points, five rebounds and five assists.
Freshman guard Dana John (Hillside, NJ/Pocono Mountain) was New Jersey City's third-leading scorer with nine points.
William Paterson plays again at home Wednesday, Jan. 18, when it opposes NJAC rival Rutgers-Camden at 8 p.m. New Jersey City takes on The College of New Jersey the same date and time at home.