NJAC Bracket (PDF)

WAYNE, N.J. – The TCNJ women's basketball team fell to William Paterson in the regular-season finale on Wednesday, 56-43. The Pioneers used a 19-6 fourth quarter to down the Lions.

A jumper from Elle Cimilluca tied the game, 37-37, with 1:09 left in the third quarter. After that, the game was controlled by William Paterson, and the fourth quarter began with a 7-0 Pioneer run. Mollie Brueggemeier put an end to the run with a lay-up with 6:18 to play. After the Pioneers recorded a bucket on the other end, Rachel Gazzola cut the deficit to 46-40. William Paterson then went on a 10-1 to take control of the game down the stretch.

The Pioneers led, 21-16, at the end of the first quarter. The Lions came back with a 15-8 second to grab a two-point lead at the half. Gazzola sank a three-pointer off a Jen Byrne assist to pull TCNJ within 23-19 early in the second quarter. After Gazzola scored on a put-back, Morgan Heller gave TCNJ the lead with five straight points. She converted a three-pointer and a lay-up to give the Lions a 26-25 advantage.

Sydney Blum put the Lions on top, 31-29, when she hit a three-pointer with 1:07 left in the first half. The closely-contested battle continued in the third quarter, and neither team was able to take a lead larger than two points. Byrne hit a fast break lay-up to tie the game at 35-35. The Pioneers took a 37-35 edge with 1:29 left in the third.

Byrne paced TCNJ with 14 points and six rebounds. Heller scored nine points, while Gazzola chipped in eight. Jane Beiermeister grabbed eight rebounds coming off the bench.

TCNJ closes out the regular season with a 15-10 record, including 12-6 in NJAC play. The Pioneers finish the regular season at 10-14 and 9-9 in the conference. The Lions are the four seed in the conference tournament.

The Lions won't have to wait long for redemption. These two teams will meet in the first round of the NJAC Tournament on Feb. 22 in Packer Hall. The regular-season series was a split between these two teams. TCNJ prevailed in the first meeting with a 55-45 victory at home on Jan. 15.