Tyreek Rolon (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) had 10 points and four assists as the Pioneers (13-5, 8-3 NJAC), stayed atop the NJAC standings with the win. WPU also swept the season series from its backyard rival as it posted a 59-49 win in Wayne back in November.
Jonathan Arthur (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) posted game-highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Red Hawks (9-9, 5-6), who lost for the third time in their last four games. Gian Paul Gonzalez (North Haledon, NJ/Manchester Regional), the nation’s No. 4 scorer had 15 points for MSU.
Montclair State jumped out to a 15-6 lead in the first half as Gonzalez beat the shot clock with a three-pointer, but William Paterson got back into the game and trimmed the lead to 30-27 at halftime. In the second half the Pioneers battled back and took 45-36 lead as Sanu drained a three-pointer at 10:27 to make the score, 45-39. Montclair State then went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to regain the lead as Gonzalez scored eight of his points. A free throw by Maurice Torres (Summit, NJ/Summit) put the Red Hawks in front 53-47 with 5:07 to play.
William Paterson would make its game-ending run as Torres scored on a layup and Tim Lucas’ (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) jumper pulled the Pioneers within 53-51 with 3:29 remaining. Following a missed shot by MSU, Sanu buried a three from the left side to put WPU ahead, 54-53 with 2:39 to play. Montclair State would have its chances, however, the Red Hawks would fail to connect from the field missing all eight of their attempts.
Rolon would add a free throw with 21 seconds to go for the two-point margin. Montclair State would have a chance to tie, but misfired on its final two attempts in the last four seconds.
Sanu added six assists and three blocks for WPU, which shot 10-of-19 (53 percent) from the field in the second half. Maurice Torres had nine points for the Red Hawks while Jamal Ford (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) had three points, three rebounds and six assists.
Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, January 28 as MSU hosts Rutgers-Newark at Pazner Gym in a 4:00 pm NJAC matchup. William Paterson is also in action that day hosting Richard Stockton at 1:00 pm.