Feb 04, 2026
WAYNE, N.J. – The No. RV/17 William Paterson women's basketball team (20-1, 14-0 NJAC) picked up its 20th win of the season after cruising to a 97-49 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win against Rutgers-Newark (2-19, 0-14 NJAC) Feb. 4 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers led by two (17-15) with 2:08 on the clock in the first quarter before closing out the frame on a 7-3 run.
- WP outscored Rutgers-Newark, 13-6, in the second quarter to take a 13-point (37-24) advantage into the half.
- The Pioneers opened the third quarter with 12 unanswered points to push their lead to 25 (49-24) with 8:07 on the clock.
- WP continued to extend its lead, using a 17-2 run in the final 4:38 of the third frame to grab a 40-point advantage (74-34).
- The Pioneers maintained their large lead in the fourth quarter en route to securing the 97-49 home victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Senior Patty Walsh had a game-high 21 points, adding 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
- Junior Menna Hafiz finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 (.750) shooting to pair with seven boards.
- Senior Luna Kirby shot 4-of-6 (.667) from deep for a 13-point outing.
- Graduate student Megan Sears went 6-for-8 (.750) from the field for 12 points.
- Sophomore Kaelyn Gowdy logged 11 points.
- Senior Renee Wells had 10 points, four boards and three assists.
- Junior Mattison Chiera dished out a career-high eight assists, adding five rebounds, three steals and two points.
- Junior Jada Jacobs tallied six rebounds, six steals, four assists and three points.
- WP extended its win streak to 10.
- The Pioneers are ranked 17th in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Poll and received votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will square off against New Jersey City on Saturday, Feb. 7, in a conference tilt slated for 1:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS: