Box Score 

NEWARK, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (17-6, 9-2 NJAC) moved into a tie for first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) North Division with a 45-34 victory at Rutgers-Newark (10-13, 4-7 NJAC) Feb. 11.

The Pioneers are now tied for the top spot in the divisional standings with Montclair State (9-2 NJAC). Following a game at Ramapo Feb. 14, William Paterson will finish the regular season Feb. 18 with a home contest against the Red Hawks. The top team in each division will earn a bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament.

Ted at 18-18 at halftime, William Paterson used a 10-2 run early in the second half to open up a nine-point advantage (34-25, 10:16), thanks in part to six points scored by sophomore forward Absatu Mustapha (Somerset, N.J./Franklin). The Pioneers' defense then clamped down, holding Rutgers-Newark without a field goal for nearly seven minutes, as the Scarlet Raiders shot just 20.0 (5-25) percent during the second period and 24.0 (12-50) percent overall.

Sophomore forward April Smith (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) produced her 11th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Mustapha added 11 tallies and seven boards, freshman BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) posted eight points and seven rebounds, and junior Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) dished a game-high four assists.

Courtney Vacca led Rutgers-Newark with 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Jared Tactuk added eight tallies and four steals.

William Paterson will return to action Saturday, Feb. 14, at Ramapo at 1:00 p.m.