NJAC Tournament Bracket (PDF)

WAYNE, N.J. – The third-seeded William Paterson women's basketball team (18-7, 14-4 NJAC) will play host to sixth-seeded New Jersey City (10-15, 9-9 NJAC) Saturday, Feb. 22, in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament at 1:00 p.m. at the Sports and Recreation Center.
 
TICKET INFORMATION

• Tickets can be purchased in advance HERE
• Ticket prices are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors (65+) and $2.00 for children
• Free tickets will be granted to all William Paterson students with a valid WP ID who attend the NJAC quarterfinal game against New Jersey City (no e-ticket required) courtesy of the division of student development
• All other spectators must present a QR code on their phone or on a printed ticket by purchasing online in advance

HOW TO CATCH THE ACTION

• Live statistics, live video and live audio coverage will be available

 
WHERE

• Sports and Recreation Center; Wayne, N.J.

 
WHAT'S AT STAKE

• The winner of the matchup between William Paterson and New Jersey City will advance to the semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 26, against No. 2 Montclair State. Following the semifinals, the highest remaining seed will host the championship game Saturday, March 1, at a time to be determined. The NJAC Tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

 
WP IN THE NJAC TOURNAMENT

• The Pioneers are seeking their fourth conference title (1993, 2011, 2012).

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

• William Paterson capped its 2024-25 regular season with an 18-7 overall mark and 14-4 record in conference play. The 18 wins are the most for the program since the 2017-18 team finished 18-12, while the 14 NJAC victories are the most since the 1999-2000 squad went 15-3.
• The Pioneers enter tournament play on a five-game win streak and have won eight of their last nine home contests. Their last loss at the Sports and Recreation Center came Feb. 1 against Rowan.
• Graduate student Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) has scored in double figures in 11 straight outings, averaging a team-best 15.9 points per game while shooting 40 percent (58-of-145) from the field. The Hillsdale, N.J., native is tied for the team lead and third in the conference in scoring (13.6 ppg).
• Junior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) has posted 20 double-digit scoring performances this season with two double-doubles and sits tied for the team lead in points per game (13.6) with Smith. She ranks first on the team and eighth in the NJAC in assists per game (2.6).
• Junior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) is the Pioneers' top rebounder, reeling in 6.6 boards per contest, and is third on the team in scoring with 9.2 points per game. The Middletown, N.J., native is tied for fourth in the NJAC in blocks per outing (1.3), swatting 32 shots this season.  

SCOUTING THE GOTHIC KNIGHTS

• New Jersey City, the defending NJAC Tournament champions, played to a 10-15 overall record and 9-9 mark in conference games this season.
• The Gothic Knights halted a three-game skid after capturing a 65-56 home win against Rutgers-Camden on senior night Feb. 19.
• New Jersey City finished 5-9 on the road and dropped three straight away from home. The last road victory for the Gothic Knights came Jan. 25 versus Rowan (72-58).
• Senior Destiny Battle paces the Gothic Knights with 12.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.5 steals per game. She sits first in the NJAC in steals, second in assists and ninth in scoring.
• Sophomore Kendra Rigo is third on the team in scoring (9.1 ppg) and first in rebounds (7.6) and blocks (1.2) per outing.

 
EARLIER THIS SEASON

• William Paterson swept New Jersey City during the regular season, picking up a 60-49 road win Jan. 11 before claiming a 69-61 home victory Feb. 8.
• Walsh averaged 17.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting the ball at a 46-percent clip (15-of-33) during her two meetings with NJCU this season.
• Wells had a 22-point game in the first matchup with the Gothic Knights and averaged 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game while knocking down 46 percent (12-of-26) of her shots from the field in the two outings. 

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS

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