MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (4-4, 2-2 NJAC) hung tough with No. 12/17 Montclair State (8-0, 4-0 NJAC) into the second half, but the Red Hawks eventually came away with an 81-61 victory Dec. 7.

The Pioneers owned a 16-15 edge at the end of the first quarter and a 20-17 lead at the 7:26 mark of the second, but MSU scored four of the final six points of the first half for a 31-28 advantage at the intermission.

When WP pulled within four (40-36) after a pair of free throws from senior forward Janea Clark (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) with 5:11 to play in the third quarter, the Red  Hawks responded with a 20-1 burst to build a 60-37 lead with 9:10 remaining in the fourth.

Junior forward Tori Woetzel (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) and sophomore guard Julie Rovito (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) each scored 12 points, while freshman guard Gabby Harris (South River, N.J./South River) contributed 11 tallies. Clark finished with eight tallies and seven rebounds, and freshman guard/forward Alliera McCoy (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) pulled down a game-best eight boards.

Senior guard Rachael Krauss led MSU with 18 points, and junior guard/forward Katie Sire posted 14 tallies and six rebounds.

William Paterson will host Stockton Saturday, Dec. 10, at 3:00 p.m.

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