Mahwah, NJ:  The Ramapo College Roadrunners defeated the Pioneers of William Paterson University today, 81-78 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up. The Roadrunners improve to 11-5 overall and 5-4 in the NJAC while the Pioneers drop to 10-4 overall and 5-4 in the conference.
 
The Roadrunners started the half strong with a seven-point lead on a layup by Kashaun Barnes with just under 16 minutes left to play in the half. The Pioneers answered back with a jumper from Hershell Williams, 6-11.  William Paterson's Sean Smith and Domenic Mignone each collected two points of their own to bring the game within one, 10-11.  Matt Latka went to the line on a two-shot foul making the first, ending the run for the Pioneers, 12-10.  With 13 minutes left to play in the half Rob McWIlliams recorded a steal and went down the court for a layup.  Barnes netted two more points extending the lead to eight, 18-10.  With just over nine minutes left the Pioneers earned a steal and closed the gap with a three-point shot from Smith, 18-20.  The Pioneers took the lead for the first time with just over five minutes left in the half when Smith netted another three-pointer, 27-25.  The two teams traded baskets for two minutes of play but then the Roadrunners went on a 13-2 run taking a 10-point lead with sixteen seconds remaining in the half, 42-32.  Pioneers Saint Simeon Beaubrun scored a three just before heading into the locker room closing the gap to seven, 42-35. 
 
The two teams traded baskets for the first 11 minutes of the second half.  Latka began a 16-point run for the Roadrunners on a jumper with 9:08 left to play, 61-64.  Jason Battle capped off the run making his second of a two-shot foul, 75-64.  Jared Bennet made a layup with 5:22 remaining, snapping the Roadrunner run, 66-75.  Jason Battle answered back sinking a three-point shot to extend the lead to 12.  William Paterson would then go on a mini 5-0 run capped off by a jump shot from Mignone closing the gap to seven, 71-78.  McWilliams answered back with a jumper his own with two and a half minutes left to play, 80-71.  With only a 1:20 left in the game, Mignone sank a three-point shot to begin the 7-1 run for WPU.  McLeod netted a two-point basket with 13 seconds left to bring them within three points of the Roadrunners but the last second shot from Bennett to tie the game was no good. The Roadrunners defeated William Paterson 78-81.
 
All five Roadrunner starters scored in double figures tonight led by McWilliams with 23 points and seven rebounds. Barnes tallied 18 points including finishing 10-10 from the free throw line while adding seven rebounds, three assists and four steals. Matt Latka finished 7-10 from the floor with 17 points, six rebounds and one block while Lewis tallied ten points and Battle collected 11 points in the game. The team shot 52% (29-55) from the field, 60% (3-5) from the three-point line and 69% (20-29) from the free throw line in the game. The Roadrunner defense forced 14 WPU turnovers which led to 23 points for Ramapo.
 
WPU was led by Smith with 26 points including six three-pointers in the game. Beaubrun collected a double double 11 points and a team high 17 rebounds while Mignone recorded 19 points in the game. The team shot 44% (31-70) from the field, 39% (11-28) from the three-point line and 62% (5-8) from the free throw line.
 
The Roadrunners return to action Wednesday, January 16 at 7:30pm when they take on Rutgers-Newark at home.