Mahwah, NJ: The William Paterson women's basketball team held off a late comeback by Ramapo College as the Pioneers earned a 66-58 NJAC win. The Pioneers move to 15-10 overall and 10-8 in the conference while the Roadrunners now stand at 16-9 overall and 10-8 NJAC.
 
The Roadrunners earn the #6 seed in the upcoming NJAC tournament which begins Saturday, February 18th, they will travel to #3 Rowan University for a 1pm game in Glassboro. The Pioneers earned the #5 seed and will travel to #4 TCNJ for a 1pm game in Ewing. The ticket prices for the 2023 NJAC Women's Basketball Tournament at all sites are $5.00 for adults; $2.00 for children, seniors, and students.
 
The two teams played evenly in the first ten minutes of play, closing the quarter tied at 10 a piece.  Ramapo went on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter, capped off by a pair of free throws from Jackie Ventricelli, 18-10.  The Pioneers answered back with a 7-0 run of their own over 1:36 of play, coming within one of the Roadrunners. A jumper from Victoria Palladino would tie the game at 19 with 2:58 remaining. Ramapo would tack on five more points in the half to William Paterson's two, sending the Roadrunners into the locker room up 24-21 at halftime. 
 
The Pioneers came out on a 13-2 run to open the third quarter to take the 34-26 lead forcing the Roadrunners to call a timeout.  Jada Thompson came out of the timeout and scored a jumper for Ramapo, before Brianna Smith converted on an and-one play, sparking a 9-0 run for WPU as they took a 43-28 lead.  Thompson and Justina Cabezas would trade baskets before Reilly Sheeley sank a pair of free throws to end the quarter as WPU held a 45-32 advantage. In the fourth Ramapo outscored WPU but it would not be enough for the victory. WPU would push their lead to 17 with a three-pointer from Brianna Smith with just over seven minutes remaining. Karly Wittenbauer sparked a 10-3 run for the Roadrunners to cut the lead down to ten as Salma Eddahiri sank a three-pointer with 4:39 left on the clock. Following a jumper from Cabezas, Thompson would spark another 11-2 run with a basket to shrink the lead to just three as Ventricelli capped off the run with a jumper of her own, 56-59. In the final 30 seconds of the game WPU converted at the free throw line for seven points while Ramapo added just two as the Pioneers held on for the road win.
 
Thompson led the Roadrunners with her 7th double double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds while she added four steals and three assists. Ventricelli posted 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while Johnstone and Eddahiri each tacked on seven points. The team shot 34% (22-63) from the floor, 16% (3-18) from the three-point line and 61% (11-18) from the free throw line.
 
Smith led both teams with 23 points including three made three-pointers while Cabezas posted a double double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Victoria Palladino added 12 points and Allison McBride posted seven rebounds and four points. The Pioneers shot 37% (23-62) from the field, 18% (3-16) from the three-point line and 89% (17-19) from the free throw line. 
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