Box Score
NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Despite a cold shooting night from the floor, the No. 13/15 William Paterson women's basketball team (11-0) was able to overcome a hard-charging Mount Saint Mary (8-3) squad for a 49-43 victory Dec. 21.
The Pioneers took just their second lead of the game when senior
Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J./Pascack Hills) sank a layup during the final 45 seconds of the first half, giving WP a 28-26 edge it would take into the locker room.
Six lead changes and three ties were indicative of a back-and-forth opening 10 minutes of the second period, but the Pioneers went ahead for good with a
Lindsey Callander (Branchburg, N.J./Somerville) three-pointer with 10:02 to play (38-36), and a jumper by fellow freshman
Cori Santana (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) made it a four-point game 2:19 later.
MSMC knocked down a three-pointer of its own during the next possession, but successful free throws from freshman
Regina Kelly (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) and sophomore
BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) pushed the advantage back to four points, 43-39, with 6:37 left.
The Blue Knights again drained a long-range trey to get within one (43-42, 4:48) before a Lucas layup and a Mount Saint Mary 1-for-2 trip to the free-throw line gave the Pioneers a two-point lead (45-43, 1:49). A WP turnover during the ensuing possession gave MSMC a chance to take the lead, but the Knights' three-point attempt was no good, and Callander scored during William Paterson's next trip down the floor to make it a two-possession game (47-43, 0:46). Two Lucas free throws during the final 15 seconds allowed the Pioneers to walk away with the six-point win.
Lucas led all scorers with 15 points, Haledjian had nine tallies and three assists, and Callander added nine points. Senior
Erin Cook (Princeton, N.J./Princeton) led William Paterson with nine rebounds, chipping in five points. The Pioneers shot just 27.9 (17-61) percent from the floor and 25.0 (4-16) percent from behind the arc. However, as is often the case, the WP defense caused 21 opponent turnovers, creating a 17-6 edge in points off the mistakes.
Jess Tice compiled 10 points and 10 rebounds for Mount Saint Mary. Amanda Horvers scored 12 tallies, and Shannon Sangster pulled down a game-best 12 rebounds.
The Pioneers will start the New Year with the William Paterson/Residence Inn Winter Classic, and will face Union in the first round Saturday, Jan. 2, at 4:00 p.m.
