UNION, N.J. – William Paterson (7-6, 3-3 NJAC) started the new year with a 76-50 women's basketball victory at Kean (9-4, 4-2 NJAC) Jan. 6. Senior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) scored a career-high 23 points and matched her career best with 15 rebounds for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers held the Cougars scoreless for nearly five minutes to open the game, building a 22-6 advantage by the end of the first quarter and a 43-23 edge by halftime. That lead ballooned to as many as 28 (74-46, 2:17 in fourth) during WP's wire-to-wire victory.

Milne was 10-for-12 (.833) for her game-high 23 tallies, notching her fourth straight double-double. Senior guard Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) collected 15 points and five steals, while sophomore forward Ariana Gomez (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) finished with 12 points and nine boards from off the bench. Sophomore guard Jackie Rodriguez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) was 4-for-8 (.500) for 11 tallies, and junior guard Nikole Williams (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream Central) added six points and a career-best five assists.

WP shot nearly 50 percent (28-61, .459) from the field while limiting Kean to a 16-for-71 (.225) effort.

Marajiah Bacon led the Cougars with 19 points. Diana Todoro pulled down 10 rebounds.

William Paterson will host Rutgers-Newark Saturday, Jan. 9, at 1:00 p.m.

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