MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The third-seeded William Paterson women's basketball team (19-8, 14-4 NJAC) fell, 67-55, on the road to second-seeded Montclair State (22-4, 15-3 NJAC) in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament Semifinals Feb. 26.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• William Paterson held a slim two-point lead (8-6) with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter before Montclair State closed the frame on a 10-2 run to go ahead by six (16-10).
• A 13-4 run that spanned the opening 6:24 of the second quarter allowed the Red Hawks to extend their advantage to double figures (29-14).
• Montclair State maintained its double-digit advantage until a jumper by sophomore Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) with five minutes remaining in the third quarter sparked an 11-2 run that pulled the Pioneers to within six (46-40).
• The Red Hawks pushed their lead back to double figures in the final frame and WP could not overcome the deficit before falling, 67-55.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Junior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) recorded a double-double after scoring a team-high 14 points to pair with 12 rebounds.
• She added two blocks, two steals and an assist to her stat line.
• Graduate student Brianna Smith (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley) logged 12 points, three assists, two boards and two steals.
• Junior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) finished with 11 points.
• Sophomore Jada Jacobs (Mount Laurel, N.J./Medford Tech) corralled eight boards to go with four points.

 
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