EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team defeated William Paterson University in the regular season finale on Wednesday evening by a final score of 64-48. The Lions rounded out the regular season with a record of 17-8, and an impressive 15-3 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. TCNJ also captured the regular season
New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship, and will enter the conference tournament as the number one seed.

The game began with a couple of made three-pointers from Sam Famulare. Shannon Devitt would then net 10 consecutive points for the Lions to build a 16-7 advantage. Lauren Barlow sank one from behind the arc with 22 seconds left in the quarter to give TCNJ a 19-7 lead.

With 3:43 to play in the second quarter, Rachel Gazzola struck from beyond the arc to put TCNJ up 31-17. Barlow would close out the second the same way she closed out the first, as she hit a triple to extend the lead to 36-19, an advantage in which TCNJ would take into the locker room. TCNJ had a big edge on the glass in the first half, as they outrebounded the Pioneers 24-13.

Jen Byrne would hit a three-pointer to put the Lions ahead 45-27 with 2:52 to play in the third quarter. A pair of free throws from Nicole Shatsky made it a 47-27 ballgame, and the Lions were up 47-31 at the end of the third quarter. TCNJ was able to continue the strong play in the fourth quarter to hold onto the win.

Devitt scored 17 points and added 20 rebounds, which tied her career-high. Devitt is also within range of the program's single-season rebounding record, as she just needs three more to break Hilary Klimowicz's mark of 320 set in the 2007-08 season.

Barlow net 16 points which set a new career-high, and did so efficiently as she shot 6-of-7 from the field including 3-of-3 from three point range. Famulare finished the evening with 11 points, while Byrne scored 10 points to reach double figures for the 12^th straight game.

Next up for TCNJ is the NJAC semifinals, which will be at home on February 20. The opponent will be determined after the first round games on February 16.