GALLOWAY, N.J. – Behind a pair of 20-point performances from senior Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) and sophomore Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South), the William Paterson women's basketball team (6-14, 4-9 NJAC) earned a 75-67 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) road victory over Stockton (13-7, 10-3 NJAC) Jan. 27.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers took a double-digit lead (19-8) after the first 10 minutes of action by knocking down 44 percent (8-of-18) of their shots and limiting the Ospreys to just two made field goals in the opening frame.
• It was a nine-point game (35-26) to begin the third quarter in favor of the Pioneers and William Paterson tacked on three quick points following a three-point play by Smith at the 9:45 mark.
• Stockton began to settle in and rattled off a 13-2 run to trim the deficit to one (40-39) with 2:40 on the clock. After a pair of foul shots by Smith, the Ospreys took their first lead of the afternoon (44-42) by scoring five unanswered points with 1:12 remaining in the quarter.
• William Paterson evened the score (44-44) before the quarter came to a close and used a 15-4 run over the first 4:40 of the final frame to go ahead by double figures (59-48). Stockton eventually countered with a 9-2 run to make it a four-point game (63-59) with 2:39 left to play. However, the Pioneers iced the game at the foul line to capture the 75-67 conference road win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Smith went for 20 points on 6-of-9 (.667) shooting to pair with three rebounds.
• Wells posted six rebounds and three assists to go along with her 20-point outing.
• The sophomore finished 12-of-15 (.800) at the charity stripe.
• Freshman Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Juniors Jade Martinez (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) and Victoria Palladino (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) chipped in with eight points apiece.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns to the Sports and Recreation Center, Wednesday, Jan. 31, for a 6:00 p.m. NJAC game against Montclair State.

 
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