DANBURY, CONN. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (5-6) opened the New Year with an 81-60 loss to Scranton (8-2) Jan. 4 in the first round of Western Connecticut's Hat City Classic.

Seven straight points by the Lady Royals midway through the first half catapulted Scranton to a 25-16 lead with 8:12 on the clock, and a 16-2 burst to end the period made it a 43-22 score at the break. The two teams were even on the scoreboard during the final 20 minutes, but the Pioneers could not cut into that lead as Scranton shot 53.3 (32-60) percent from the floor overall and outrebounded WP, 51-29.

Senior guard Floriana Borova (Cresskill, N.J./Cresskill) led all players with 24 points, and senior forward Brittany Ennis (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional) finished with a career-best 12 tallies. Senior forward Dana Jeter (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) collected seven points and a team-high six rebounds.

Meredith Mesaris had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Royals, while Lia Disciascio posted 11 tallies.

William Paterson will face host Western Connecticut in the Hat City Classic consolation game Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2:00 p.m.

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