Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – Junior forward April Smith (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) led four players in double figures in scoring as William Paterson (5-0) defeated Baruch (3-2), 76-57, in the Pioneers' home opener Nov. 28.

Smith contributed a game-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds, while sophomore forward Tatiana Javis (Newark, N.J./Bloomfield Tech) posted 14 tallies and nine boards. Junior guard BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) had 11 points, four assists and three steals, and sophomore guard Lindsey Callander (Branchburg, N.J./Somerville) chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

After the Bearcats scored the opening basket of the contest, William Paterson reeled off a 16-0 run on its way to a 20-point advantage (25-5) with 12:13 remaining in the opening period. The Pioneers went into the locker room with a 43-29 edge, mostly behind the strength of 7-for-14 (.500) shooting from beyond the arc compared to Baruch's 1-for-6 (.167) effort. William Paterson's advantage never dipped below 14 points during the second half, and grew to as many as 25 (61-36, 12:09).

Monique Salmon led the Bearcats with 18 points. Folashade Akinde and Regina Washington each had 11 points, and Akinde tied with Megan Bouwens for the team high with eight rebounds apiece.

William Paterson will begin New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play Wednesday, Dec. 1, at home against Montclair State at 6:00 p.m.