WAYNE, N.J. – The No. 23/17 William Paterson women's basketball team (25-2, 18-0 NJAC) was defeated, 78-55, by second-seeded The College of New Jersey (17-10, 14-4 NJAC) in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament title game March 1 at the Sports and Recreation Center.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a tightly-contested first half with neither side able to gain separation until the Lions closed out the second quarter on a 10-1 run to take a seven-point lead (28-21) into halftime.
• An 8-2 run to open the third quarter allowed the Lions to push their advantage to double figures (36-23) with 7:16 on the clock.
• WP pulled within eight (44-36) with 2:43 remaining in the frame, but TCNJ responded with nine unanswered points before going on to secure the 78-55 conference tournament win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Senior Renee Wells (Leonardo, N.J./Middletown South) finished with a team-high 14 points, adding eight rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
• Junior Mattison Chiera (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) tallied 12 points.
• Junior Jada Jacobs (Mount Laurel, N.J./Medford Tech) totaled 11 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals.
• Senior Patty Walsh (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) went 5-of-8 (.625) from the field for a 10-point performance to go with four rebounds.
• The Pioneers are ranked 17th in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Poll and 23rd in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.

UP NEXT:

• The NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament selection show will take place Monday, March 2, at 2:30 p.m.  

 
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