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WAYNE, N.J – William Paterson (14-11, 10-8 NJAC) used a 19-5 run early in the second half to erase an eight-point deficit, eventually securing an 84-76 Senior Night women's basketball victory against Rowan (17-8, 12-6 NJAC) in both teams' regular-season finale Feb. 18.
 
The fifth-seeded Pioneers will play at fourth-seeded The College of New Jersey (15-10, 10-8 NJAC) in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Basketball Tournament Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:00 p.m.
 
Despite shooting 33.3 (13-39) percent from the floor, including a 0-for-8 effort from beyond the arc, and committing 14 first-half turnovers, the Pioneers trailed by just two at the break (38-36). The Profs scored the first six tallies of the second period, and still maintained at eight-point edge at 46-38 with 17:51 on the clock. Three straight WP baskets cut the lead to one, and freshman guard Jackie Rodriguez's (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) three-pointer at the 15:10 mark handed the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 47-46.
 
The two sides traded buckets for the next minute, but another Rodriguez trey and then two free throws by the rookie pushed William Paterson out to a 55-51 lead (13:26). When Rowan later pulled to within two (65-63, 7:05), the Pioneers responded with back-to-backs threes by freshman guard Julie Rovito (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) and never led by less than two possessions for the remainder of the contest.
 
Rodriguez and junior guard Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) each scored 18 points for WP, and Harden added a game-best 11 rebounds as well as four steals. Rovito and junior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) each posted 12 tallies.
 
Junior center Kate Matthews contributed 16 points and eight rebounds for the Profs, and sophomore guard Anyssa Sanchez added 16 tallies and five steals.
 
Prior to the game, the Pioneers honored their two seniors -- Kara Lazauskas (Basking Ridge, N.J./Somerville) and Ashley Marfo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) – and at halftime WP acknowledged all of its female student-athletes as part of its National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration.
 
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