WAYNE, N.J. – Senior guard Alisa Giordano (Wood-Ridge, N.J./Wood-Ridge) and sophomore forward Justina Cabezas (Carlstadt, N.J./Becton Regional) combined for 31 points as William Paterson women's basketball (9-11, 7-6 NJAC) moved one step closer to securing a New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament berth following a 59-54 win over Stockton (8-12, 3-10 NJAC) Feb. 1.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After spotting the Ospreys and early 5-1 advantage, the Pioneers controlled the remainder of the first quarter and led 16-10 after 10 minutes. WP continued to hit clutch shot in the second period, and held a 32-24 edge at halftime.
• With WP in front 54-42 with 4:06 left in the game, Stockton used a 9-1 run to make it a four-point contest (55-51) with under a minute left. However, four free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference as the Pioneers held for the 59-54 triumph.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Giordano registered a team-high 17 points and added six assists and five rebounds.
• Cabezas finished 6-for-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from the charity stripe to post a career-best 14 tallies.
• Sophomore forward Vianca Soriano (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) and freshman guard Yakira Rosa (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) both chip in seven points each, while freshman forward Allison McBride (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) pulled down a team-best seven boards.

 
UP NEXT:

• WP heads to Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 6:00 p.m.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia