WAYNE, N.J. – A strong fourth quarter by Rutgers-Newark (5-9, 3-4 NJAC) snapped a four-game win streak for the William Paterson women's basketball team (8-6, 3-4 NJAC), 72-64, Jan. 7.
 
The Pioneers led by as many as 15 (23-8, 8:47) in the first half, but nine straight points for the Scarlet Raiders made it a 23-17 margin with 6:25 to play in the second quarter. WP stretched it  back to double digits three minutes later (30-19, 3:31) behind five straight points from sophomore guard Sihana Asani (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton) before a 9-4 Rutgers-Newark run to end the half that sent the Pioneers into the locker room with a 34-28 edge.
 
The Scarlet Raiders shot 53.3 (8-15) percent from the floor during the third quarter, making it a two-point game at 52-50 at the end of the period. Senior guard Maria Simmons tied the score with the first basket of the fourth quarter (52-52, 9:50), and five lead changes and two ties marked the next 3:43 until the Raiders' Faith Ashby made a pair of free throws for a 60-59 edge with 6:07 on the clock.
 
Rutgers-Newark never trailed again, pulling out ahead by a 68-62 count thanks to a Simmons three-pointer with 31 seconds left.
 
Freshman guard Gabby Harris (South River, N.J./South River) poured in a career-high 27 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Asani collected 12 tallies, senior forward Janea Clark (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) finished with eight points and seven boards, and sophomore guard Julie Rovito (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) had six tallies and eight rebounds.
 
Simmons led Rutgers-Newark with 31 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Ashby chipped in 17 tallies, seven boards and five steals.
 
William Paterson will play at Kean Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 6:00 p.m.
 
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