Wayne, NJ---Despite improvement in the second half, the Brooklyn College men's basketball team was not able to overcome a fifteen-point first half deficit, as they dropped their season opener at William Paterson, 67-47, this evening.  The Bulldogs will be back in action on the road as they take part in the Rose City Classic at Drew University this weekend. Brooklyn will open with the host on Saturday at 6:00 pm.  

How It Happened 

-WPU opened the game with a 9-0 run before BC senior guard, Maynard Grant IV, drained a three to get the Bulldogs on the board with 16:36 remaining in the first period.  The Pioneers led by as many as 22 points in the first half.  Brooklyn closed the gap in the final two minutes of the half with a 7-0 run capped by a made three shot by sophomore wing, Henry O'Reilly.  
-Brooklyn continued their run into the second half as they cut the home team's lead to ten points in the first 1:40.  The run was highlighted by a three-point play converted by senior guard Ben Batash who made his Brooklyn College debut this evening.  The Pioneers responded with a 9-0 run of their own that pushed their lead back up to 19 points with 14:06 left in regulation.  
-Brooklyn cut the Pioneer lead back down to 14 points with just under thirteen minutes to go, but WPU pushed the lead back up to 20 in the next three minutes.  

Box Score Comparison

-WPU shot 38.3% as a team to the Bulldogs' 27.0% for the game.  
-The Pioneers out-rebounded the Bulldogs 15-10 on the offensive boards.  
-Both teams had a rough night from beyond the arc with Brooklyn finishing with a 17.9% to 15.8% edge.  

Leading the Bulldogs

-Senior guard Ben Batash finished with a team-high 12 points.  He also grabbed five rebounds in 26 minutes of action. 
-Sophomore wing, Henry O'Reilly, added eight points.

Leading the Pioneers

-Richy Espinal scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the game's lone double-double.  WPU guard Dapo Badmos added 13 points in the winning effort.