PURCHASE, N.Y. – Short-handed William Paterson (10-4) held off a late surge from host Manhattanville (7-5) for a 63-60 women's basketball victory Jan. 7.  Junior guard Floriana Borova (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill) led all players with 21 points and nine assists, while freshman guard Jessi Corredor (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) collected a career-best 17 tallies.

The Pioneers scored the first 10 points of the contest and led by as many as 14 (32-18, 2:59) en route to a 34-23 advantage at the break. 

Borova's three-pointer gave WP its biggest lead of the night at 50-34 with 14:57 to play in the contest, but the Valiants began to chip away, forging a 56-56 deadlock at the 3:23 mark.  Two Manhattanville free throws nudged the hosts ahead, 59-57 with 2:40 remaining, but freshman guard Shakira Negron (Paterson, N.J./Immaculate Conception) converted a layup 35 seconds later, and Corredor's fast-break layup made it a 61-59 William Paterson lead with 1:38 on the clock.  Two misses from the stripe by Manhattanville and a Pioneer turnover preceded a 1-for-2 effort at the free-throw line for the Valiants' Bri Pabon (61-60, 0:55).  Manhattanville rebounded its miss, but a second-chance attempt was off the mark and was pulled down by sophomore forward Ashley Marfo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield).  Borova was then fouled on the ensuing possession, making both free throws for a 63-60 score with 14 seconds left, and Manhattanville's attempt to tie the game was no good during the final seconds.

Borova notched six rebounds and seven steals, and Negron finished with eight points.  Junior guard Kristine Jackiewicz (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) contributed a career-high 11 rebounds.  WP was playing without a pair of starters, but managed to turn 35 Valiant turnovers into 28 points.

Pabon led Manhattanville with 19 points, and Alyson Caiazzo collected 13 tallies and 11 rebounds.

William Paterson will play at Ramapo Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 5:30 p.m.

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