WAYNE, N.J. – Senior Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) scored her 1,000th career point as the William Paterson women's basketball team (5-11, 3-6 NJAC) held off Rutgers-Camden (0-16, 0-9 NJAC) for a 77-71 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) home win Jan. 13 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers jumped out to a 20-10 lead with 1:44 on the clock in the first quarter after generating 12 more shots than the Scarlet Raptors due to eight Rutgers-Camden turnovers.
• The Scarlet Raptors chipped into the double-digit deficit and with 5:08 remaining in the second quarter pulled within three (30-27) following an 8-0 run.
• The Pioneers maintained their slim lead until the 8:47 mark of the third frame after Rutgers-Camden opened the new quarter with four unanswered points to grab a 42-41 advantage.
• William Paterson responded with a 10-0 run that was capped by a 3-pointer from freshman Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) and allowed the Pioneers to regain the lead (51-42) with 3:36 on the clock.
• With 5:32 left to play in the contest, Rutgers-Camden scored from inside and knocked down four consecutive shots from the foul line to make it a one-point game (63-62).
• However, an 8-2 run put the Pioneers on top by seven (71-64) with 2:29 remaining before William Paterson iced the game at the foul line to secure the 77-71 home win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Smith became the 24th all-time Pioneer in program history to reach 1,000 career points.
• She is the first to accomplish that career milestone since Julie Rovito '19.
• The Hillsdale, N.J., native paced the Pioneers with a season-high 33 points and eight rebounds to go with four steals.
• Sophomore Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) recorded 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals.
• Junior Jade Martinez (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) had 11 points, three steals and two boards.
• Sophomore Patricia Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) totaled 10 points and nine rebounds.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson heads to Union, N.J., Wednesday, Jan. 17, for a 5:30 p.m. conference game at Kean.  

 
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