A game-winner by red-shirt sophomore guard Jack Gobel, with 2.3 seconds left, lifted William Paterson to a 74–72 victory over Cairn University on Friday, November 14.

Gobel scored 21 points on 7-of-15 (.467) shooting, including 8 of WP’s final 16

points. The victory moves the Pioneers to 3-0, marking their best start since the 2019–2020 season.

Through three games this year, the Weehawken, N.J., native has totaled 61 points, averaging 20.3 per game.

“I’ve been trusting all my teammates to get me the ball, trusting coaches offense and keeps it moving.. we’re playing team basketball, getting up shots and we’re clicking on offense” says Gobel when asked about his progression from Year 2 to Year 3.

Gobel has battled injuries throughout his first two seasons wearing the Orange and Black, ultimately redshirting his true freshman campaign. As a red-shirt freshman, he appeared in 10 games off the bench, making an immediate impact with 11 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in his collegiate debut. He later added 10 points against nationally ranked TCNJ, along with a 6-point, 7-rebound performance against Rowan University.

Heading into the 2025–2026 season, WP Men’s Basketball faces a critical question: who will lead this team? With Andre Wells, Neftali Valentin, David Martinez, Tim Gjonballa, and Shane Geene all graduating, the leadership role is wide open—yet Gobel has clearly stepped into that territory.

“It feels great, the last two years I’ve been injured a lot, coming into my 3rd year, it’s kind of my time to shine, so I feel great now being the leader of this team,” reiterates Gobel.

With performances of 22, 18, and 21 in his first three outings, Gobel is emerging as a potential All-NJAC honoree and a core piece of WP’s long-term return to contention after a 6-19 season in 2024–2025.

The Pioneers will face Brooklyn College at the William Paterson University Sports and Recreation Center on Wednesday, November 19, aiming to start 4-0 for the first time since the 2011–2012 season.