Box Score
WAYNE, N.J. – Senior Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) led four Pioneers in double figures with 19 points as the William Paterson women's basketball team (14-4, 6-1 NJAC) out-lasted visiting Rutgers-Newark (15-4, 4-3 NJAC), 68-58, Jan. 30 at the Rec Center.
The Pioneers, who lead the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) North Division standings and are tied for the overall top spot in the NJAC with a 6-1 record, jumped out to a 39-26 halftime lead behind 57.7 (15-26) percent shooting during the opening stanza. William Paterson overcame 10 first-half turnovers thanks to its hot start, an effort that included 3-of-5 (.600) shooting from beyond the arc, as both Pellichero and Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood) entered the locker room with 10 points. The Scarlet Raiders made just 37.0 (10-27) percent of their attempts from the floor during the first 20 minutes, and were out-rebounded by WP, 21-9.
William Paterson maintained its double-digit lead for the first nine minutes of the second half, but five straight points by Eni Fageyinbo helped Rutgers-Newark put together a 12-2 run and make it a two-point game at 51-49 with 9:02 to play.
A Johnson layup and five consecutive points from Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J./Pascack Hills) quickly gave WP a 58-49 edge (6:07), but a Toni Roselli three sandwiched by a Sabrina Sanchez layup and two free throws made the score 59-56 with 4:13 on the clock. Pioneer freshman Phelan Livingston (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny Regional) helped stop the Scarlet Raiders' momentum with back-to-back steals and a basket, jump starting a 9-2 William Paterson run to end the contest.
Pellichero made her first five shots and six of eight overall for a game-best 19 points, dishing out four assists while connecting on five of six three-point attempts. Johnson had her ninth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, blocking a career-high seven shots. Sophomore Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) chipped in with 11 tallies and Haledjian posted 10 points and three assists.
Sanchez led the Scarlet Raiders with 14 points, while Courtney Vacca had 10 tallies and a team-best seven rebounds.
The Pioneers shot just 33.3 (8-24) percent from the field during the second half compared to the Scarlet Raiders' 12-for-28 (.429) effort.
William Paterson will return to action Saturday, Feb. 2, at Rowan at 3:00 p.m.
