WAYNE, N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team fell for the first time in NJAC action this season by way of a 56-46 defeat against William Paterson University on Wednesday night. With the defeat the Lions slipped to 8-6 on the year including 7-1 in the conference, while the Pioneers bumped their record up to 8-7 including 4-4 in NJAC play.

TCNJ jumped out to an early 7-1 lead. Sam Famulare net the first bucket of the night with a lay-up, then scored another one in close off of a Jen Byrne assist. Byrne took one to the bucket herself, and converted on an and-one for the old fashioned three point play. After the end of the first half, the Pioneers held onto a 24-23 lead.

In the fourth quarter, William Paterson gained a 15 point led, yet the Lions did not let the Pioneers run away with it. Elle Cimilluca set up Jen Byrne, and Byrne sank a three-pointer to make it a 46-34 game with seven minutes to play. Byrne scored from in close on the next possession, then knocked down another three-pointer to narrow the deficit to nine. The Pioneers were able to control the end of the game and hit their free throws to hold onto the win.

Shannon Devitt scored 14 points on an efficient 5-for-9 shooting from the floor, and set a career-high with 20 rebounds. The 20 boards is also tied for fourth-most in a single game in TCNJ program history, and the last player to post 20 rebounds was Shelby Brown in 1995. Byrne posted a double-double as well with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Next up the Lions will have a road game at Kean University on Jan. 12. Tip off is set for 3:00 p.m.