Box Score
EWING, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (16-2, 7-0 NJAC) rallied from an eight-point deficit with 6:40 to play to defeat The College of New Jersey (8-9, 3-4 NJAC), 61-57, Jan. 20 in Ewing, N.J.
With the victory, the Pioneers earned their 14th straight win of the season, and snapped TCNJ's 12-game winning streak in the series between the two schools, a stretch that dated back to the 1999-2000 campaign.
Deadlocked at 21-21 at the intermission, the Lions began the half with a 13-4 run in the first 4:04, seizing a 34-25 lead. That advantage stretched to as many as 10 points on two occasions, including a 48-38 margin with 8:43 on the clock. With TCNJ ahead by six at 51-45 (4:06), the Pioneers went to work.
Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood) and
Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) made consecutive layups, followed by a NBA-distance three-pointer from
Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr), suddenly giving William Paterson a one-point edge (52-51, 2:46). Johnson and Pellichero each made 2-for-2 trips to the line, pushing the Pioneers ahead by five (56-51) with 2:01 remaining.
However, TCNJ would not go away quietly, making two straight baskets to cut WPU's lead to one at 58-57 with 39 seconds to play. Pellichero then made three of four free throws down the stretch, including a 2-for-2 trip with one second left that made it a four-point lead and eliminated the Lions' chance for a game-tying three at the buzzer.
Pellichero led the Pioneers with 22 points, while Johnson posted her first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Brown added 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals for William Paterson.
The Pioneers mounted their second-half comeback without the services of leading scorer
Luci Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark), who was whistled for her fifth foul with 5:31 remaining in the game. Sophomore
Joi Stevens (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) helped to fill in the gap, playing excellent defense and tipping in an offensive rebound that gave WPU a 58-53 edge with 1:15 to play.
William Paterson received votes in this week's d3hoops.com National Top 25 Poll (eight votes, 35 th).
The Pioneers will return to action Wednesday, Jan. 24, when they host Lehman at 6:00 p.m.
