EWING, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (13-9, 8-7 NJAC) fell 69-65 in a thrilling double-overtime road New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) (14-8, 9-6 NJAC) on Feb. 4.  


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After opening the fourth quarter with six unanswered points, the Pioneers led by seven (45-38) with 8:09 on the clock. TCNJ responded with a 12-3 run that lasted over seven minutes of action and gave the Lions a two-point edge (50-48) with seven seconds left to play. However, senior Yakira Rosa (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) scored inside the paint before time expired to send the game into overtime.
• In the first overtime period, TCNJ began with an 8-2 run, but William Paterson countered with a 7-2 run to pull within one (60-59) with 22 seconds remaining. The Lions got to the foul line with seven seconds on the clock and knocked down a pair of free throws to go ahead by three, but junior Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) buried a 3-pointer in the final second to even the score and force a second overtime.
• Both teams struggled offensively in the second overtime period, combining to shoot 1-of-10 (.100) from the floor. However, TCNJ got to the charity stripe often and went 7-of-10 (.700) for all seven of its points en route to earning the 69-65 victory.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore Victoria Palladino (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) scored a career-high 16 points after shooting 6-of-9 (.667) from the floor with six rebounds and three assists.
• Smith finished the afternoon with 14 points and three assists.
• Rosa logged 11 points and seven boards.
• Senior Justina Cabezas (Carlstadt, N.J./Becton Regional) recorded 11 points to pair with five rebounds.
• Senior Allison McBride (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) reeled in a team-high 12 boards to tie her career-best mark and scored six points.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will return to the Sports and Recreation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 8, to welcome Rutgers-Newark for a 6:00 p.m. NJAC contest.

 
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