WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (19-5, 10-2 NJAC) wrapped up the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) women's basketball North Division title, and with it a first-round bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament, with a 75-57 victory against Ramapo (4-20, 0-12 NJAC) Feb. 20 as the Pioneers celebrated Senior Night at the Rec Center.

With one regular-season game remaining, the Pioneers locked up the top spot in the North Division (10-2), ahead of Rutgers-Newark (8-4) and Montclair State (7-5). The Pioneers remain tied with South Division leaders Kean (10-2) and The College of New Jersey (10-2) for the top overall spot in the conference standings. William Paterson's first NJAC Tournament game will be a semifinal contest Wednesday, Feb. 27, at home against an opponent to be determined.

William Paterson scored 25 of its 39 first-half points thanks to 20 Roadrunner turnovers, as the Pioneers entered the locker room with a 10-point lead (39-29). Senior Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J./Bishop Ahr) scored 12 points during the disjointed first period, one that saw Ramapo out-rebound WP 24-14 and out-shoot the Pioneers 42.9 (9-21) to 37.5 (15-40) percent.

The Pioneers had their largest lead of the second half at 54-37 with 13:45 remaining, but a 12-3 Roadrunner spurt made it a single-digit game four minutes later (57-49, 7:40), as Malika Gilliam scored five of Ramapo's points during the run. William Paterson finally took control of the outcome at that point, quickly scoring six unanswered points with an Asia Johnson (Wildwood, N.J./Wildwood) layup and back-to-back buckets by Pellichero, the start of a 19-8 game-ending run for the Pioneers.

Johnson finished the contest 10-for-13 (.769) from the field for a game-best 22 points, adding 13 rebounds, three blocked shots and four steals. Pellichero had 18 tallies, and tied her career best with seven assists. Lori Custis (Roselle, N.J./Abraham Clark) chipped in with seven points, as Custis and Pellichero were honored prior to the contest during Senior Night activities.

Junior Lauren Moschel (paced the Roadrunners with 16 points. Gilliam scored 12, while Beth Weinmann led Ramapo on the boards with 13 rebounds.

William Paterson will finish the regular season Saturday, Feb. 23, at Rutgers-Newark at 5:30 p.m. The Roadrunners will host Montclair State Feb. 23 at 1:00 p.m.
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