BOX SCORE

BOSTON, MASS. – The No. 4/4 William Paterson women's basketball team (3-0) outscored Heidelberg (1-2) by 40 points during the second half, rolling to a 99-51 victory Nov. 20 in the final of the Emmanuel College Invitational.

After posting 27 points and 10 rebounds during an opening 71-65 victory against Moravian, senior all-American forward April Smith (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after contributing 16 tallies and 10 boards against the Berg.  She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior all-American guard BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham), who had five assists and a game-best 18 points and six steals, and sophomore guard Floriana Borova (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill), who chipped in 16 tallies and five assists.

The Pioneers quickly surged to a double-digit lead over Heidelberg, as William Paterson led 18-8 less than seven minutes into the game.  A low-post move by Casey Bishop cut the Heidelberg deficit to five points, 20-15, at the 10:28 mark, but a reverse layup by WP junior Kierra Walker (Pleasantville, N.J./Pleasantville) later pushed it back to double digits (30-19, 5:59).

Classmate Tatiana Javis (Hillside, N.J./Bloomfield Tech) stuck a midrange jumper to give WP a 38-27 edge with 1:32 on the clock.  A put-back by sophomore forward Jessica Simpkins during the final seconds cut the Berg deficit to single digits heading into the break at halftime, as the Pioneers led by a 40-32 count.

The Pioneers opened the second half with six straight points, capped by a fastbreak layup by Smith for a 46-32 edge less than two minutes in.  WP forced Heidelberg into three quick turnovers and the Berg signaled for a full timeout, trailing 50-35 with 17:03 to go.  A right wing three-ball and a layup by Borova pushed the lead to 61-38 with 14:17 remaining, and the Pioneers continued to pull away, using a 16-2 run for a 40-point lead at 89-49 with 4:14 on the clock.

William Paterson shot 53.6 (37-69) percent from the field, including a 21-for-36 (.583) effort during the second half.  The Pioneers out-rebounded the Berg, 50-33, and turned 34 Heidelberg turnovers into a 44-8 advantage in points scored off the miscues.

Emily Giel led Heidelberg with nine points.  Jordan Ickes added seven points and dished out four assists.  Both earned spots on the All-Tournament Team. 

William Paterson will host SUNY New Paltz Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m.