WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Penn College defeated William Paterson, 89-63 in a nonconference men's basketball game on Saturday inside Bardo Gym. The Wildcats evened their record at 2-2 while handing the Pioneers their first loss (2-1).

How it happened: A fast-paced, tightly-contested first half that saw the Pioneers take a 40-38 lead into halftime quickly turned in favor of the Wildcats in the second half. Gavin Barrett, who was held scoreless and played just six minutes in the first half, drained the first three to begin the second frame for a 41-40 lead and ignited the Penn College offense. DJ Smith III, Livingston Cross and Ronn Flood Jr., continued the offensive barrage with a pair of two-pointers each and another Barrett trey at 16:13 capped an 18-3 run by the Wildcats to lead by 14, 56-42. 

Cross pushed the Wildcats' lead to 21 (67-46) with 12:10 to play on a second chance opportunity when he came down with an offensive board after a Smith three just missed the mark and a pair of Julien Leveille free throws with just over six minutes to go gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the afternoon, 84-53. 

Inside the Box: Four Wildcats finished in double figures as the team shot 47% (31-66) and drained 10 3-pointers in the victory. Cross finished with a 22-point, 15 rebound afternoon including 11 defensive boards and two steals. Smith III dropped 20 points and grabbed six rebounds while Barrett and Leveille both finished with 11 points. 

Penn College's defense held William Paterson to 34.7% (25-72) shooting overall.

Up next: Penn College gets set for a two-game roadtrip next week at Lebanon Valley on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and King's on Saturday,  3 p.m.