EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team earned its fourth straight victory by way of a 55-45 win against William Paterson on Wednesday.

In the second quarter, the Lions (10-5, 7-1 NJAC) held a 17-12 lead with five minutes left, but closed out the half with a 14-4 stretch to take a 31-16 lead. Shannon Devitt scored from in close to put TCNJ ahead, 19-12. Lay-ups from Devitt and Jen Byrne stretched the lead to 11, then Byrne hit a three-pointer. Devitt continued to attack the basket, and she scored on another pair of lay-ups to give the Lions a 15 point lead heading into the locker room.

The Pioneers cut the deficit to 38-31 with 2:29 to play in the third, yet the Lions closed out the quarter with a 6-0 stretch. Devitt scored once again from in close after an assist from Elle Cimilluca. After Rachel Gazzola hit a free throw, Devitt sank a pair to put the Lions ahead, 43-31.

In the final quarter, the Lions opened up a 47-34 lead when Devitt converted on another lay-up. The Pioneers continued to hang around, as they trimmed the Lion lead to 48-42. William Paterson had a chance to cut it to four with 2:20 to go, yet Devitt came up with a huge block on a lay-up attempt. Cimilluca then knocked down five free throws to ice the game.

Devitt posted another double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds. She also blocked five shots. Gazzola also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Cimilluca scored 10 points and tallied five assists to go with five rebounds.

As a team, the Lions had a big 50-39 edge in the rebounding category. 
 
The Lions will return to play on Saturday, Jan. 18 when they will take on Kean at home.