STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Senior
Tori Woetzel (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) notched her second consecutive double-double, but turnovers plagued the William Paterson women's basketball team (5-4) in a 79-58 defeat at Staten Island (8-1) Dec. 12.
Woetzel netted a career-best 21 points on 8-of-14 (.571) shooting and also hauled in 10 rebounds. The Dolphins were led by Christina Pasaturo's 23 points and eight assists, while Samantha Flecker chipped in 22 points.
The difference came in ball control and free-throw shooting, as WP committed 41 turnovers to just 20 by the Dolphins, leading to a 39-11 edge in points off turnovers for the home squad. At the charity stripe, Staten Island made 23 of 32 (.719) attempts while the Pioneers went 12-for-16 (.750).
Trailing by seven points (17-10) after one quarter of play, the Pioneers outscored the Dolphins, 20-15, during the second stanza to cut the deficit to two (32-30) heading into the locker room.
Staten Island's defense smothered the Pioneers to begin the second half, however, forcing nine turnovers in the opening six minutes to extend its lead to 47-36. The Pioneers came within eight points in the third (54-46, 1:10), but a 15-1 burst by the Dolphins late put the game out of reach.
The Pioneers will have a week off before returning to action on Dec. 19 when they travel to Pennsylvania for a non-conference bout with Cabrini at 5:00 p.m.
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