Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – Four Pioneers reached double figures in scoring as the William Paterson women's basketball team (10-2) won its eighth straight game, defeating Salisbury (7-2) 69-60 Jan. 3 at the Pioneers' Rec Center.

Senior Luci Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark) led William Paterson with 16 points, five assists and six steals, while junior Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) posted 15 tallies. Seniors Melissa Moore (East Orange, N.J./North Bergen) and Meghan Ludgate (Palermo, N.J./Ocean City) each contributed 10 points for the Pioneers, while freshman Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./ Norwalk) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Jessica Mills and Meghan Phillips each scored 16 points for the Sea Gulls, who saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end with the loss.

William Paterson edged out to a 29-25 halftime lead, capitalizing on 16 Salisbury turnovers for 17 first-half points. The Sea Gulls used their quickness to outscore the Pioneers 10-0 in transition during the first 20 minutes, and used that attacking mentality to cut the lead to one (34-33) 3:06 into the second stanza. However, William Paterson immediately answered with a 9-2 run (43-35, 14:49).

Later ahead by just three (45-42, 10:48), WPU put the game away for good with a 15-1 spurt (60-43, 5:19). A layup by Custis, a pair of free throws from Moore and a three-pointer by Custis pushed the Pioneers ahead by nine (52-43, 7:28). Moore then made consecutive layups in the paint, followed by a jumper by freshman Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J./Pascack Hills) and a layup by senior Alima Williams (Somerdale, N.J./Sterling Regional), to decide the outcome.

The Pioneers travel to Bethlehem, Pa., this week to compete in the STARTERS Winter Classic. William Paterson will face host Moravian in the first round Friday, Jan. 5, at 8:00 p.m. The consolation and championship games will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 6, at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.