WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (13-10, 9-7 NJAC) led by as many as nine during the second half, but Kean (15-8, 10-6 NJAC) fought back for a 72-66 victory Feb. 10 in a battle of fourth-place New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) women's basketball teams.

The loss dropped the Pioneers into fifth place in the league standings with two regular-season games remaining. The top six teams qualify for the NJAC Tournament that begins Feb. 20.

William Paterson steadily extended its advantage to 27-16 3:30 before the intermission, but the Cougars scored the final seven points of the period to make it a 27-23 halftime margin.

A Brittany Harden (Millville, N.J./Sacred Heart) layup and an Alisa Giordano (Wood-Ridge, N.J./Wood-Ridge) three-pointer made it a 32-23 Pioneer lead less than two minutes into the third quarter, but a 14-4 Kean run was capped by a Jaquetta Owens layup, making it a one-point Cougar lead (37-36, 4:18). WP answered with six straight tallies from senior forward Alex Milne (Howell, N.J./Howell) for a 42-37 score two minutes later, but Kean fought back to knot the score at 46-46 to end the period.

When William Paterson cut it to three thanks to a Jackie Rodriguez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) free throw (62-59, 2:34), Kean responded with five unanswered points to take control of the game (67-59, 1:02).

Milne poured in a career-best 25 points and collected a team-high 14 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. Rodriguez had 13 tallies, and Giordano provided a season-high 12 points. Sophomore forward Tori Woetzel (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) added 12 boards and six assists.

The Pioneers honored their female student-athletes at halftime as part of their National Girls and Women in Sports Day festivities.

Freshman guard Marajiah Bacon scored 40 points for Kean. Classmate Diana Todaro posted 12 tallies, and freshman center Ruby Asabor pulled down 14 rebounds.

William Paterson will celebrate Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 13, when the Pioneers host The College of New Jersey at 1:00 p.m.

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