WAYNE, N.J. – The No. RV/17 William Paterson women's basketball team (20-1, 14-0 NJAC) picked up its 20th win of the season after cruising to a 97-49 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win against Rutgers-Newark (2-19, 0-14 NJAC) Feb. 4 at the Sports and Recreation Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers led by two (17-15) with 2:08 on the clock in the first quarter before closing out the frame on a 7-3 run.
• WP outscored Rutgers-Newark, 13-6, in the second quarter to take a 13-point (37-24) advantage into the half.
• The Pioneers opened the third quarter with 12 unanswered points to push their lead to 25 (49-24) with 8:07 on the clock.
• WP continued to extend its lead, using a 17-2 run in the final 4:38 of the third frame to grab a 40-point advantage (74-34).
• The Pioneers maintained their large lead in the fourth quarter en route to securing the 97-49 home victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Senior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) had a game-high 21 points, adding 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
• Junior Menna Hafiz (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 (.750) shooting to pair with seven boards.
• Senior Luna Kirby (Leola, Pa./Linden Hall School for Girls) shot 4-of-6 (.667) from deep for a 13-point outing.
• Graduate student Megan Sears (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) went 6-for-8 (.750) from the field for 12 points.
• Sophomore Kaelyn Gowdy (Fultondale, Ala./Minor) logged 11 points.
• Senior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) had 10 points, four boards and three assists.
• Junior Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) dished out a career-high eight assists, adding five rebounds, three steals and two points.
• Junior Jada Jacobs (Mount Laurel, N.J./Medford Tech) tallied six rebounds, six steals, four assists and three points.
• WP extended its win streak to 10.
• The Pioneers are ranked 17th in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Poll and received votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will square off against New Jersey City on Saturday, Feb. 7, in a conference tilt slated for 1:00 p.m.

 
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