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WAYNE, N.J. – Despite double-doubles from guards
Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) and
Brianna Brooks (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook), William Paterson women's basketball (0-1, 0-1 NJAC) dropped its season opener to visiting Montclair State (1-1, 1-0 NJAC), 58-51, Friday evening at the Sports and Recreation Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Red Hawks took control from the opening tip, scoring the game's first eight point en route to a nine-point edge at the end of the first quarter, 20-11. Back-and-forth play ensured for much of the second stanza as MSU extended its lead to as many as 14 (31-17, 2:17) before taking a 10-point cushion into the break.
- Beginning with a Smith jumper and a three-pointer from sophomore Yakira Rosa (Dumont, N.J./Dumont), WP used a 17-5 run to take a 38-36 lead with 4:19 remaining in the third. The visitors would respond with a 11-2 burst of their own and led 47-40 entering the final period. William Paterson would twice cut the deficit to five but would get no closer, ultimately dropping a 58-51 decision.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Smith led all scorers with 21 points and added 11 rebounds and three assists, while Brooks chipped in 10 tallies to go along with a game-high 14 boards.
- Junior Justina Cabezas (Carlstadt, N.J./Becton Regional) registered eight points and 8 rebounds and Rosa dished four assists.
UP NEXT:
- WP visits Montclair State Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2:00 p.m.
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