WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (12-4, 8-1 NJAC) stayed hot in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action after earning a 70-60 home victory against Rutgers-Camden (6-10, 2-7 NJAC) at the Sports and Recreation Center Jan. 18.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A 3-pointer by senior Victoria Palladino (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) with 8:19 on the clock in the second quarter put the Pioneers ahead by nine (25-16). However, the Scarlet Raptors closed out the half on a 14-6 run to make it a one-point game (31-30).
• WP owned a three-point advantage (55-52) with 5:16 left to play before a layup by junior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) and back-to-back scores by freshman Leilani Pinder (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick) pushed the lead to nine (61-52).
• Despite a few late baskets by Rutgers-Camden, the Pioneers held on and secured the 70-60 home win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• William Paterson extended its win streak to six.
• The Pioneers won their fifth consecutive home game.
• Wells scored a game-high 19 points to pair with six rebounds.
• Senior Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) poured in 15 points with four steals and three boards.
• Palladino logged 12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
• Junior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) had 12 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
• Senior Jade Martinez (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) dished out seven assists while recording four rebounds and two steals.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson heads to Ewing, N.J., Wednesday, Jan. 22, for a 5:00 p.m. conference game at The College of New Jersey.  

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia