York College

Box Score

JAMAICA, NY— The York College men's basketball team got off to a sluggish start against William Paterson University and could never quite erase the deficit, despite several late runs, and fell to the Pioneers by a score of 69-64 on Tuesday evening.

York got off to an ominous start, falling behind by 15 points (24-9) following a three-pointer by Nick Allan with 5:36 to play before halftime.  York struggled through most of the first half, shooting just 32 percent in the opening stanza and the Pioneers were able to take advantage.  However, the Cardinals were able to pick it up late in the half and closed to within seven points at halftime (31-24), following four straight points by William Holley.

In the second half, York continued to cut in the lead but could never quite get over the hump.  On several occasions they were able to close within one score but never took the lead.  A key moment came with 2:34 to play.  York had just closed to within four, following five unanswered points, when Allan drained a three-pointer from well beyond the arc just before the shot clock went off to put the Pioneers up 63-56. 

York once again battled and closed to within three points shortly after.  Holley was able to convert a three-point play to make the score 64-61 with 1:10 remaining.  Following a pair of made free throws by the Pioneers, York's Marcel Esonwune was fouled and sent to the line with the score 66-61.  Esonwune hit the first and missed the second but York came up with the rebound.  David Simon was then fouled for York and he made both shots to make the score 66-64 with just 29 seconds to play. 

York fouled to stop the clock on the ensuing possession sending the Pioneers' Joey Castro to the line.  Castro missed the first and hit the second to give WPU a three-point cushion with 27 seconds remaining. 

On York's next possession, both Simon and Kevin Lausell were able to get off good looks from three-point range but could not convert.  Allan was fouled on the rebound attempt and he made both free throws to seal the victory for William Paterson.

Allan had a huge game for the Pioneers, scoring a team-high 27 points on 11-18 shooting.  Gabriel Paul and Shaun Canty each paced WPU with ten points.  York was led by Holley who scored a season-high 30 points, to go along with eight rebounds and three steals.  Esonwune finished with 10 points, 15 boards and two blocks. 

The loss drops York's record to 2-7, while William Paterson improves to 4-4.  The Cardinals will visit Rutgers-Newark on Friday at 8:00 p.m.