NEWARK, N.J. – No. 6/6 William Paterson (22-1, 11-1 NJAC) fought back late to force overtime, then never trailed during the extra session during a 75-71 women's basketball victory at Rutgers-Newark (15-7, 6-5 NJAC) Feb. 8. Senior all-American forward April Smith (Barnegat, N.J./Southern Regional) had her 19th double-double of the season with 25 points and 14 rebounds, senior all-American guard BriAnna Lucas (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) contributed 18 tallies, and sophomore forward Dana Jeter (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) posted 13 points and 10 boards.
The Pioneers trailed for most of the first half, but a Smith three-point play during the final 20 seconds allowed WP to carry a 24-23 lead into the break. William Paterson scored eight of the first 10 points of the second period, building a 32-25 advantage less than four minutes in, but Jade Howard and Kendra Johnson combined for a 10-0 run and a 35-32 Rutgers-Newark lead with 14:02 on the clock.
A 9-1 burst briefly swung the momentum into the Pioneers' favor (53-48, 5:28), but the Scarlet Raiders answered with seven straight points and seized a 57-56 edge with 3:39 on the clock.
ShaQuanna Marshall's three-pointer made it a 62-58 Rutgers-Newark lead with 2:09 remaining before Lucas knocked down one of her own during WP's next possession (62-61, 1:47). Sophomore guard Floriana Borova (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill) rebounded a Marshall miss and Lucas was later fouled. Her two free throws nudged William Paterson ahead, 63-62 with 1:00 on the clock. The two teams traded turnovers before Marshall was fouled, and she made the second of two attempts at the stripe to knot the score at 63-63 with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Smith's layup just before the horn did not fall, and the two teams headed to overtime.
Jeter's trey and a Tatiana Javis (Hillside, N.J./Bloomfield Tech) bucket gave William Paterson the early advantage, 68-64 less than two minutes in, and when Rutgers-Newark tied the game at 68-68 with 1:25 left, WP responded with five straight points off Jeter's hot hand (73-68, 0:18).
Jeter scored eight of her 13 points during overtime, and finished with team bests of six assists and four steals. Javis added seven points and six rebounds off the bench.
Howard scored 16 points, Marshall had 13 and Johnson posted 12 for Rutgers-Newark. Jasmine Daniels collected 13 rebounds.
William Paterson will celebrate Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 11, when it hosts New Jersey City at 3:00 p.m.