WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (3-0) defeated WestConn (2-2), 56-51, in the 2025-26 home opener Nov. 19 at the Sports and Recreation Center.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A 3-pointer by senior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) to begin the second quarter extended the WP advantage to double figures (21-9). However, the Wolves pulled to within one (24-23) heading into the halftime break after outscoring the Pioneers, 14-3.
• WP built its lead back to double digits (43-29) after a 19-6 run spanned the first seven minutes of the third frame. During that stretch, the Pioneers shot 8-of-14 (.571) from the floor with junior Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) leading the charge with seven points.
• The Pioneers held a 15-point advantage (47-32) with 9:23 left to play in the contest following a jumper by sophomore Leilani Pinder (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick). WestConn responded with a 17-5 run to make it a three-point game (52-49) with 2:36 remaining, but WP held on for the 56-51 home victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Pioneers extended their win streak to 3-0, marking the program's best start to a season since the 2011-12 team opened the year with 15 consecutive victories.
• Wells scored a team-high 19 points, adding six boards, five steals and four assists.
• Chiera logged a 10-point outing with four assists.
• Senior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) recorded 10 points and a team-best nine rebounds to go with two steals and an assist.
• Junior Jada Jacobs (Mount Laurel, N.J./Medford Tech) finished with four points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will be on the road to take on John Jay Friday, Nov. 21, at 5:00 p.m.

 
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