Box Score
NEWARK, N.J. – Junior forward
Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood), who finished with 26 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots, rallied William Paterson (20-5, 11-2 NJAC) in overtime for a 65-60 New Jersey Athletic Conference win at Rutgers-Newark (19-6, 8-5 NJAC) in the regular-season finale Feb. 23.
The victory gave the Pioneers, the North Division winner, the top overall seed in upcoming NJAC Tournament. Tied with The College of New Jersey (11-2 NJAC) for the best league record, WP owns the tiebreaker thanks to a 71-67 victory against the Lions Jan. 27. William Paterson will host a semifinal game of the NJAC Tournament Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7:00 p.m., facing the winner of the Kean/Rutgers-Newark first-round contest. Should the Pioneers win their semifinal contest, they will host the championship game Friday, Feb. 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Back-to-back conventional three-point plays by senior guard
Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) and Johnson gave the Pioneers a 59-55 lead with 2:02 left in overtime. Pellichero finished with 11 points, a game-high five assists and two steals for William Paterson.
Senior guard Sabrina Sanchez had a late chance to tie it for the Raiders, but her three-point jumper from the right side bounced away where Pioneer sophomore guard
Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) hauled in the rebound. Brown, who was fouled with just 1.9 ticks left, iced the game by making two free throws. Brown tallied 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in the contest.
Raider senior guard Nerlande Nicolas forced the overtime period when she buried a three-point buzzer beater from the right corner, knotting things as 52-52. Nicolas posted 13 points, six rebounds and four assists for Rutgers-Newark.
Senior forward Eni Fageyinbo posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while also handing out three assists for the Raiders.
In a game marked by 53 turnovers, the Pioneers earned the win at the charity line. Behind Johnson's 12-for-17 free throw effort, William Paterson made 25 of 38 (.658) for the night. Rutgers-Newark netted 14 of 23 (.609).
