Wayne, NJ: The #4 William Paterson University women's basketball team used a third quarter comeback to take down #5 Ramapo College tonight in the quarterfinals of the NJAC Tournament. The Pioneers move to the semifinals and improve to 13-10 overall. The Roadrunners wrap up the season at 10-12 overall.
WPU used a strong third quarter to overcome an 11 point deficit. The Roadrunners held a 38-27 lead on a free throw from
Jada Thompson before WPU went on an 11-0 run. The run was capped off with a three-pointer from Brianna Smith which tied the game at 38 with 1:57 left on the clock.
Lyndsey Ross sank a big three-pointer which was sandwiched between two
Bridget Cahill jumpers as the Roadrunners took a five point lead into the final quarter, 45-40.
A three-pointer from Smith and a jumper from Qiana Vigo tied the game at 45 before a free throw from Justina Cabezas put the Pioneers up one, 46-45 with 7:11 on the clock. The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes before a free throw from
Shannon Burns tied the game at 50 with under 4:40 left to play. An and-one play from Yakira Rosa and a layup from Brianna Brooks put WPU up five, 55-50 with four minutes left to play. Cahill sank a big three-pointer for Ramapo off an assist from
Jada Thompson to come within two before Cabezas put WPU back up four, 57-53 with a jumper. Thompson scored a jumper for Ramapo to once again cut the lead to two with less than 1:45 on the clock but WPU held onto the lead as they scored their final four out of six points from the free throw line for the 63-57 win.
Smith led the way in scoring tonight with 20 points as she finished 6-12 from the field including three three-pointers. Cabezas finished with 15 points, three assists, one block and one steal while Rosa added ten points, five rebounds and four assists. WPU shot 42% (24-57) from the field, 44% (4-9) from the three-point line and 73% (11-15) from the free throw line. The WPU defense forced 23 Ramapo turnovers in the game which led to 24 points for the Pioneers.
Cahill and
Jackie Ventricelli each led with 15 points for the Roadrunners while Thompson posted her seventh double double of the year. Thompson tallied 13 points and ten rebounds along with five assists and two steals. Ventricelli added three rebounds, two assists and four steals while Cahill finished with two three-pointers, a team high six assists and one steal. The Roadrunners shot 38% (22-57) from the field, 33% (5-15) from the three-point line and 61% (8-13) from the free throw line in the game.
