Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (11-4, 3-1 NJAC) came out hot from the opening tip and never relented, cruising to a 70-43 victory against visiting New Jersey City (4-11, 1-4 NJAC) in NJAC women's basketball action Jan. 19 at the Rec Center.

The Pioneers came out strong, taking a 12-0 lead over the Gothic Knights in the first eight minutes of play.  Junior Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood) contributed seven of those points, and notched 10 rebounds in the first half, leading William Paterson to a 30-14 lead at the break.

That advantage quickly ballooned to 26 points for WP (46-20, 13:40), as the Pioneers shot a sizzling 50.0 (15-30) percent from the floor during the second half.  For the game, William Paterson out-rebounded New Jersey City 54-30, out-scored the Gothic Knights 48-14 in the paint and 25-10 on second-chance points, and held NJCU to 17-of-61 (.279) shooting overall and a 5-of-23 (.217) effort from beyond the arc.

Johnson registered her third straight double-double, and seventh of the season, with game bests of 19 points and 15 rebounds.  Sophomore Jonnelle Rodriguez (Elizabeth, N.J./Carteret) was the only other Pioneer in double figures, notching a career-best 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting.  Sophomore Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J./Pascack Hills) dished out eight assists to tie her career best, while junior Lauren Miller (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) and freshman Absatu Mustapha (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) posted seven points apiece.

Vanessa Vargas Espinoza paced the Gothic Knights with 11 points, while Rosaly Diaz added 10 tallies and Alaia Robinson added a team-high seven rebounds.  NJCU was playing without two starters, including leading scorer Angela Fitzgerald.

William Paterson will return to action Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Ramapo at 5:30 p.m.