Box Score

PURCHASE, N.Y. – Junior April Smith (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) poured in 27 points and William Paterson (1-0) cruised to an 81-60 season-opening women's basketball victory at Manhattanville (0-1) Nov. 16.

Smith shot 8-for-13 (.615) from the field and 9-for-10 (.900) from the free-throw line for her 27 points, just one shy of her career best. She added seven rebounds, while junior guard BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) also was 8-of-13 to score 22 points while adding five assists and three steals. Freshman forward Dana Jeter (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) had seven tallies and a game-high 10 rebounds in her collegiate debut.

A 14-2 run turned a 10-10 score into a 24-12 William Paterson lead midway through the first half, and a later 9-0 spurt helped the Pioneers take a 42-30 lead into the locker room. That advantage never dipped below double digits during the second half, thanks in part to a 30-17 WP edge in points scored off turnovers and 0-for-12 shooting by the Valiants from three-point range.

Simona Gordon led Manhattanville with 16 points, while Jennifer Mcsharer posted 11 tallies. Courtney Turner contributed eight points and five rebounds.

William Paterson will compete in the DeSales Tournament this weekend, facing Scranton in the first round Saturday, Nov. 20, at 8:00 p.m.