WAYNE, N.J. – The third-seeded William Paterson women's basketball team (19-7, 14-4 NJAC) erased a double-digit deficit in the third quarter to capture a thrilling, 55-54, New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament Quarterfinals win against sixth-seeded New Jersey City (10-16, 9-9 NJAC) Feb. 22 at the Sports and Recreation Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers found themselves trailing by double figures (34-20) late in the second quarter after the Gothic Knights opened the first 8:59 of the frame on a 19-5 run. Senior Victoria Palladino (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) knocked down a shot from long range before time expired and WP went into the half down by 11 (34-23).
• Both teams struggled to generate much offense during the early portion of the third quarter, but New Jersey City built its lead to 13 (40-27) with 5:20 on the clock.
• William Paterson got into a groove and from the 4:49 mark of the third quarter until the eight-minute mark of the fourth, the Pioneers went on a 23-0 run to go ahead by 10 (50-40).
• New Jersey City responded with a 12-2 run to even the score at 52-52 with 1:32 remaining.
• Graduate student Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) buried a three with 12 seconds left to play, giving WP a three-point edge (55-52).
• The Gothic Knights had an open look inside and scored with one second remaining to make it a one-point game (55-54). However, WP held on for the one-point home victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Pioneers earned their first NJAC Tournament win since besting Ramapo, 63-57, in the quarterfinals on Feb. 22, 2022.
• Smith totaled a game-high 25 points to go with three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
• It marked her fourth 20-point performance of the season.
• Junior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) logged 10 points and five rebounds.
• Junior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) had eight points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal.
• Sophomore Jada Jacobs (Mount Laurel, N.J./Medford Tech) reeled in a career-high 11 boards while adding four steals and three assists.
• William Paterson claimed its 19th win of the season to mark the most victories in a campaign since the 2012-13 team finished 21-8.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will square off against second-seeded Montclair State in the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Montclair, N.J.

 
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