WAYNE, N.J. – The season-opening winning streak continued for the TCNJ women's basketball team on Friday night. The Lions improved to 7-0 with a 70-57 win over William Paterson. TCNJ is only one of two undefeated teams in the NJAC, the other being Montclair State.

The Lions built their largest lead of the game in the third quarter. After a Pioneer free throw made it a 42-31 game two minutes into the second half, the Lions built the 20-point lead with a 13-4 stretch.

Nikki Alexatos made her collegiate debut and left an impact on tonight's game. The freshman guard converted a lay-up to put the Lions ahead, 45-31. TCNJ's next bucket came a few possessions later via a Shannon Devitt jumper.

With 2:50 left in the third, Alexatos drilled a three-pointer after an assist from Devitt. On the next William Paterson possession, Jane Beiermeister came up with a steal. The defense led to instant offense, and Alexatos found Elle Cimilluca on the fast break. Cimilluca struck from long range to extend the lead to 53-38. Two free throws from Devitt gave the Lions the 20-point lead with 1:52 left in the quarter.

The Pioneers made the fourth quarter interesting and pulled to 64-55 with 4:37 left in the game, yet TCNJ was able to weather the storm. Sydney Blum scored an old-fashioned three-point play to put the lead back to double digits.

Down the stretch the Lions' defense dug in and did not allow any points from the 4:37 mark until 19 seconds remaining. Alexatos put the finishing touch on with a lay-up that made the lead 70-55 with 1:33 to play.

Cimilluca scored a team-high 16 points. She added four assists along with three steals. Devitt recorded her 47^th career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The senior forward also blocked three shots.

Alexatos scored 13 points and grabbed three boards. Blum finished the evening with 11 points, while Morgan Heller tallied eight rebounds.

TCNJ's active defense forced 21 Pioneer turnovers, which the Lions turned into 20 points. On the glass, the Lions out-rebounded the Pioneers, 46-36. The Lions grabbed 23 offensive rebounds that turned into a 21-3 edge in second chance points.

These two teams will meet in Packer Hall tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. start. Prior to the game, the Lions will hold Senior Day at 12:50 p.m. to honor Cimilluca, Devitt, Beiermeister, and Natalie Miller.