Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (12-2) twice fought back from deficits as time wound down to defeat William Smith (6-4) 83-81 in double overtime, winning the championship of the STARTERS Winter Classic Jan. 6 in Bethlehem, Pa.

The Pioneers led by as many as 11 in the first half, and were ahead 41-30 at the intermission, but found themselves trailing 65-61 with 1:03 to play in the second half. Junior Michelle Pellichero's (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) three-pointer 10 seconds later, and a made free throw by junior Lori Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark) with three seconds to play, knotted the score at 65-65 and forced overtime.

William Paterson never led during the first overtime, but Pellichero's bomb from NBA three-point range again tied the score at 73-73 with 20 seconds remaining, and the two teams headed to a second overtime period.

All square at 79-79 with 57 seconds on the clock in the second extra frame, senior Luci Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark) converted a layup and Pellichero made a pair of free throws to give the Pioneers a four-point edge (83-79, 0:05). A William Smith layup as time expired was no threat, and William Paterson came away with the tournament title.

Pellichero made eight of 14 field goals, including a 5-for-10 effort from beyond the arc, to score a game-high 23 points and earn tournament MVP honors. Luci Custis joined Pellichero on the All-Tournament Team, contributing 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Lori Custis chipped in 16 tallies and six rebounds, and freshman Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) tallied nine points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

The Pioneers will return to conference action Wednesday, Jan. 10, at New Jersey City at 6:00 p.m.