GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. – Sophomore forward Ariana Gomez (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) scored a team-best 14 points as the William Paterson women's basketball team (1-0) won its season opener, 66-56, against Lycoming (0-1) Nov. 13 in the first round of the Gwynedd Mercy Tip-Off Tournament.
 
Gomez made all five of her field goals, adding seven rebounds. Senior guard Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) posted 13 points, seven boards, five assists and four steals, while senior guard Sara Luberto (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) chipped in 12 tallies.
 
A 15-9 second-quarter run helped propel the Pioneers to a 35-29 halftime advantage, and buckets by Harden, Gomez and Luberto stretched it to a 48-37 edge with 1:10 left in the third quarter.
 
WP shot 41.7 (25-60) percent from the floor, including a 12-for-25 (.480) effort during the second half, and enjoyed a 45-34 advantage on the boards.
 
Senior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) pulled down seven boards, and sophomore forward Tori Woetzel (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) added eight tallies and five rebounds. Freshman guard Ashley Castillo (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) had nine points and five caroms during her collegiate debut.
 
Sophomore forward Shelby Mueller led Lycoming with 18 points, and senior guard Olivia Manges collected seven rebounds and four assists.
 
William Paterson will play in the tournament championship game Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2:00 p.m. against the winner of the Gwynedd Mercy/Ursinus first-round contest.
 
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit http://www.wpupioneers.com and http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.