Video Highlights
WAYNE, N.J. – Sophomore guard
Yakira Rosa (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) poured in a career-high 19 points to lead all scorers, but the William Paterson women's basketball team (2-5, 2-5 NJAC) dropped its final home game of the regular season to The College of New Jersey (7-0, 7-0 NJAC), 70-57, Feb. 26.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Tied 4-4 in the first, TCNJ used a 13-2 run that span five minutes to take an 11-point lead, 17-6. A three-pointer and driving layup from Rosa made it a six-point affair (17-11, 1:20), but the visitors responded with two quick basket of their own and led 22-13 after 10 minutes.
- With the Lions in front 34-19 midway through the second, the Pioneers used a 9-2 burst, capped off by Autumn Webster's (Paterson, N.J./Immaculate Conception ) jumper, to cut the deficit to single digits, 36-28. TCNJ would knock down big shots late and take a 42-30 advantage into halftime.
- William Paterson struggled from the field in the third, connecting on just 3-of-13 (.230) attempts, allowing TCNJ to build a 17-point cushion heading into the final stanza.
- Brianna Smith's (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) deep three-pointer started a 9-0 fourth quarter Pioneer rally to get back to an eight-point contest, 61-53, but WP would get no closer and TCNJ pulled away late for the conference road win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Rosa's personal-best 19 tallies came on a 7-for-16 shooting night.
- Smith finished with 13 points, her fourth double digit scoring output of the season, while Allison McBride (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
- Kayla Allmendinger (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley) paced the Pioneers with four assists and two steals to go along with six boards and five points.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson visits The College of New Jersey to conclude the regular season Saturday, Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m.
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