MAHWAH, N.J. – Despite career highs of 22 points and 20 rebounds from sophomore forward Ashley Marfo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield), the William Paterson women's basketball team (10-5, 4-3 NJAC) saw its comeback bid denied at Ramapo (10-4, 4-3 NJAC), 66-64, on Jan. 9.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 21-11 lead less than 11 minutes into the contest, but a 20-5 burst allowed the Roadrunners to carry a 33-31 advantage into the locker room.  Ramapo led by as many as seven (49-42, 9:00) during the second half, but a three-pointer from junior guard Kristine Jackiewicz (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) capped a 10-3 run and knotted the score at 52-52 with 5:37 to play.

The Roadrunners stretched it back to a five-point advantage at 61-56 with 3:30 remaining, but Marfo's jumper made it a one-possession game 13 seconds later.  Neither team could get on the scoreboard again until the 1:54 mark, when Marfo's putback pulled WP within one, and another Marfo bucket nudged the Pioneers ahead, 62-61, with 1:09 on the clock.  Ramapo's Faith Falnnery immediately answered with a jumper (63-62, 1:05), and after junior guard Floriana Borova (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill) rebounded her own miss, it was again Marfo who came up with two points (64-63, 0:37).

Micaela Moore forced another lead change with her basket, handing Ramapo a 65-64 advantage with 32 seconds remaining.  A WP turnover and foul put Moore on the line with 19 seconds left and she made the first of two attempts.  Marfo rebounded the second free throw, but Borova's attempt to tie the game was no good with three seconds left.

Marfo was 10-for-13 (.769) for her game-best 22 points, and 12 of her 20 rebounds were offensive.  Jackiewicz contributed 14 tallies and Borova had 12 points, seven boards and seven steals.

Moore and Jackie Jerkovich each scored 16 points for Ramapo.

WP dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Roadrunners by a 51-26 count (22-1 offensive), but the Pioneers shot just 31.8 (21-66) percent from the field while Ramapo was 25-for-49 (.510).

William Paterson will host Rutgers-Camden Saturday, Jan. 12, at 1:00 p.m.

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