Box Score

Ewing, NJ…William Paterson University used a late surge to rally past The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team as the Pioneers defeated the Lions on Saturday 61-57 and extending their winning streak to 14 games.

The win also gave William Paterson (16-2, 7-0 NJAC) its first win over TCNJ (8-9, 3-4 NJAC) since the 1999-2000 season as the Lions had won 12 straight games in the series.

TCNJ broke a 21-21 tie at the half starting the second frame on a 13-4 run and went on to lead by as many as 10 points at 48-38 with 8:33 remaining. The Pioneers chipped away until junior Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, NJ/Bishop Ahr) put the visitors in front for good at 53-51 knocking down a 3-pointer.

The Pioneers increased the margin to 58-53, but the Lions made one last push as Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) and Sara Best (High Bridge, NJ/Voorhees) made back-to-back lay ups to make it a one-point game.

William Paterson, however, was able to protect the lead as Pellichero sank three foul shots in the final 10.3 seconds making the final 61-57.

Klimowicz led the Lions with 21 points and 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season as she shot 9-for-14 from the floor. Best chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Alexandra Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of the Holy Angels) added eight points.

For the Pioneers, Pellichero led all scorers with 22 points with Elisa Brown (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) adding 11 and Asia Johnson (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood) came off of the bench to contribute 10 points.

The Lions will play a non-conference game on Wednesday, January 24 heading to Mount Saint Mary College.