NEWARK, N.J. – Junior guard Julie Rovito netted a career-best 29 points, and senior forward Tori Woetzel dropped in 20 of her own to lead the William Paterson women's basketball team (7-7, 4-3 NJAC) to a 72-56 victory at Rutgers-Newark (6-8, 1-6 NJAC) Jan. 6.

Rovito was outstanding all game, shooting 67 (12-18) percent from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Beyond the scoring, Rovito grabbed seven boards and dishing out a team-high five assists. Woetzel was also exceptional in her own right, shooting 58 (7-12) percent from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. The senior also had a well-rounded game, hauling in five rebounds and handing out four assists. The duo combined for 68 percent of the team's scoring.

Trailing by 11 points (29-18) with 7:13 remaining in the first half, the Pioneers caught fire, scoring 18 unanswered points to close out the second quarter and take a 34-29 lead into halftime. During the stretch, the Orange and Black shot 80 (8-10) percent from the floor, while the defense held the Scarlet Raiders to 0-for-6 shooting and forced four turnovers. Rovito led the Pioneers with nine points during the run, and junior Carolyn Hill chipped in three.

After the Scarlet Raiders climbed back into the contest to begin the third quarter, WP ended the stanza on a 9-3 burst on 4-of-5 (.800) shooting to take the lead for good. The lead stretched to double figures at 11 points (61-50) with four minutes to play, but the Scarlet Raiders answered with four straight to cut into the deficit. The Pioneer defense would not break however, and WP scored the final nine points of the contest for the 16-point margin of victory.

The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 10 when they play host to Kean University at 6:00 p.m.

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