CAMDEN, N.J – William Paterson (11-7, 7-4 NJAC) rallied late for a 57-56 women's basketball victory Jan. 24 at Rutgers-Camden (7-11, 3-8 NJAC). Junior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) led the Pioneers with a season-best 20 points.
 
The Pioneers saw their 29-18 halftime lead evaporate during the first 6:18 of the second period as the Scarlet Raptors used a 16-5 run to tie the score at 34-34, then took their first lead since the midway point of the first half with a Cara Racobaldo layup at the 12:41 mark (36-35).
 
After back-to-back layups by senior guards senior Kara Lazauskas (Basking Ridge, N.J./Somerville) and Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) gave WP a 39-36 edge 60 seconds later, Rutgers-Camden engineered a 13-2 burst for a 49-41 lead with 8:04 to play.
 
The Scarlet Raiders still possessed a five-point advantage with 3:57 left (54-49), but two free throws and a layup by Harden cut it to one (54-53, 2:41), and after misses by both teams and a Scarlet Raptor turnover and foul, senior forward Ashley Marfo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe to push the Pioneers ahead by a 55-54 count with 1:54 on the clock. A steal by Marfo led to a Milne layup (57-54, 1:15), but a WP foul allowed senior guard Alex Gravinese to cut it one at 57-56 with 33 seconds remaining.
 
Two misses by the Pioneers gave Rutgers-Camden one last chance, but a three-pointer at the buzzer was no good.
 
Milne posted nine rebounds, and Harden had a double-double with 16 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Harden added five steals, and Marfo contributed seven tallies and 10 boards.
 
Senior center/forward Tanjae Lewis led Rutgers-Camden with 12 rebounds, adding 16 tallies. Gravinese scored a team-high 17 points.
 
William Paterson will play at New Jersey City Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 6:00 p.m.
 
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