EWING, N.J. – Sophomore guard Jackie Rodriguez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) scored a career-best 29 points to help the William Paterson women's basketball team (9-7, 5-4 NJAC) pull away from host The College of New Jersey (9-7, 5-4 NJAC) for a 62-54 victory Jan. 16.

A 23-16 second quarter allowed the Pioneers to open up a 33-27 halftime advantage, and WP held a 46-41 edge heading into the final period. A layup by freshman guard Ashley Castillo (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) made it a 50-47 lead with 5:00 to play, and when the Lions cut it to two three minutes later (54-52, 2:54), senior forward Sadi Bridgeman (Washington Heights, N.Y./Mother Cabrini) drained a jumper and senior guard Sara Luberto (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) contributed a bucket and a 1-for-2 trip to the line to make it a 59-52 game with 52 seconds left.

Rodriguez was 7-for-12 (.583) from three-point range for her 29 tallies, and senior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) pulled down eight rebounds.

Senior guard Angelica Esposito led TCNJ with 14 points, while senior forward Christina Merlin collected seven tallies and 10 rebounds.  

William Paterson will visit Ramapo Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 5:30 p.m.

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