Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women's basketball team (18-5, 13-3 NJAC) picked up a conference victory over William Paterson University (12-11, 9-6 NJAC) on Wednesday evening in Packer Hall by a final tally of 64-56.

In the opening quarter, the Pioneers jumped out to an 11-2 lead, but the Lions roared back with an 11-4 run capped off with a strong take from Lauren Barlow (Spotswood, NJ/Bishop George AHR) 12 seconds before the period ended. The Lions then carried that momentum into the second, as they built an eight point lead when Samantha Famulare (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) converted on an and-one to put the Lions up 29-21. Charlotte Schum (East Hanover, NJ/Morris Catholic) was fouled as the half expired, and knocked down both free throws to give the Lions a 33-23 lead they would take into the locker room. The Lions shot well in the first half, as they went 13-26 from the field.

The Lions were able to push their lead to as many as 13 in the third quarter, as Famulare hit on another strong take to the hole, and on the ensuing possession she found Nikki Schott (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) down low and Schott converted to put the Lions up 46-34. Shannon Devitt (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) knocked down a free throw to put the Lions up 13 with 2:19 to go in the period. The two squads traded buckets in the fourth, and the Pioneers were able to shrink the lead down to five. Schum found Jen Byrne (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) from behind the arc and Byre delivered to put the Lions up 58-50. Schum continued to distribute the basketball, finding Nicole Shatsky (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) who made a lay up to put the Lions up 62-53 with 3:33 remaining. Byrne iced it with a jumper off another assist from Schum with 2:08 to play to give the Lions a 64-56 lead.

Byrne led the Lions with 16 points on an efficient 7-9 shooting from the field, and also helped out on the glass with seven rebounds. Schott also went 7-9 from the floor, and added 15 points, six boards, and five blocked shots. Barlow scored 11 points on an efficient 5-6 shooting from the field, and added five rebounds.

With six assists, Schum moved into 10^th place all time in program history.

The Lions won the battle down low, as they out rebounded the Pioneers 37-28, and held a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint. With the win the Lions remain undefeated at home, as they are now a perfect 10-0 in Packer Hall this season.

The Lions will return to action for the regular season home finale against Montclair State University on Saturday, February 10^th at 1pm. The Lions senior class will be honored before the game.