EWING, N.J – William Paterson (13-11, 9-8 NJAC) secured a bid for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Basketball Tournament despite a 78-68 loss at The College of New Jersey (14-10, 9-8 NJAC) Feb. 14.
 
If WP defeats Rowan and TCNJ loses to Kean in the teams' regular-season finales Feb. 18, the Pioneers will be the fourth seed and the Lions will be the fifth seed. Any other combination of wins and losses will make TCNJ the fourth seed and William Paterson the fifth seed. The fourth seed hosts the fifth seed in the opening round of the NJAC Tournament Saturday, Feb. 21, at a time to be determined.
 
The Pioneers netted the opening four points of the game, but the Lions responded with an 18-4 run during the next nine minutes for an 18-8 edge at the 10:25 mark of the first half. Later trailing 25-12, WP scored on four of its next five possessions, but could not gain ground as TCNJ made it a 13-point margin by halftime (39-26).
 
When junior forward Mary Haines (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) capped a 10-2 burst with her jumper (48-42, 13:27), the Lions answered by scoring 11 of the next 15 tallies (59-46, 10:03). Junior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) later contributed six points to an 11-3 run, and junior guard Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) finished it off with two free throws to pull the Pioneers within four at 66-62 with 3:42 left. But, TCNJ scored 12 of the next 14 points to snuff out William Paterson's comeback hopes.
 
Harden scored a career-high 23 points and added a game-best 11 rebounds for her fourth career double-double. Senior forward Ashley Marfo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) added 10 tallies and eight boards from off the bench.
 
Senior guard Kylie O'Donnell led TCNJ with 18 points, junior guard Angelica Esposito had 15 tallies and junior forward Christina Merlin collected 10 rebounds.
 
William Paterson will celebrate Senior Night and National Girls and Women in Sports Day Wednesday, Feb. 18, at home against Rowan at 6:00 p.m.
 
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit http://www.wpupioneers.com and http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.