Box Score

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – William Paterson (10-4, 2-1 NJAC) built a double-digit lead during the second half but could not hold on, suffering its first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) loss in a 69-66 decision at Montclair State (9-6, 2-2 NJAC) Jan. 16.

The Pioneers scored the game's first eight points, and despite a Red Hawk rally that momentarily gave them a two-point lead (19-17, 6:19), WP took a 25-22 edge into the locker room.

A 15-5 spurt pushed William Paterson ahead by 12 (49-37, 9:20) to give the Pioneers their largest lead of the game. However, WP went cold, missing six of their next eight shots and turning the ball over three times as Montclair scored 15 of the next 17 points to snatch a 52-51 edge with 5:11 to play.

The two teams battled back and forth for the next three minutes until the Red Hawks took the lead for good at 61-58 with 2:05 on the clock. Senior guard Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) drained a three-pointer with four seconds remaining to pull WP within two at 68-66, but the Pioneers could not get the ball back, and MSU made one of two free throws during the final second to secure the win.

Junior Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood) scored a career-best 25 points in the loss, adding 16 rebounds and five blocked shots. Pellichero posted 21 points, while sophomore Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J./Pascack Hills) and senior Lori Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark) each contributed seven tallies.

William Paterson will host New Jersey City Saturday, Jan. 19, at 1:00 p.m.