JERSEY CITY, N.J – Freshman guard Julie Rovito (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) produced her second straight 20-point effort, but the William Paterson women's basketball team (12-10, 8-7 NJAC) dropped an 84-69 decision to host New Jersey City (9-13, 3-12 NJAC) Feb. 9.
 
The Pioneers led by as many as 13 (30-17, 5:35) during the opening period, and carried a 37-33 advantage into the break. The Gothic Knights fought back in the second half, putting together a 16-3 run to turn a 43-38 deficit into a 54-46 edge with 12:15 to play.
 
WP couldn't answer, only getting to within six before NJCU reeled off eight unanswered tallies to take a 67-53 lead with 7:03 left.
 
Junior guard Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) notched her third career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, adding four assists and three steals. Freshman guard Jackie Rodriguez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) chipped in 13 tallies and junior forward Mary Haines (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) matched her season best with 13 rebounds.
 
Junior forward Deseree Johnson paced the Gothic Knights with 21 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Jade Medley added 16 tallies and seven boards. New Jersey City owned a 47-34 advantage on the glass over the Pioneers, the league's leading rebounding team entering the game (47.0 rpg), and the Gothic Knights shot 60.0 (9-15) percent from three-point range.
 
William Paterson will play at Kean Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6:00 p.m.
 
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