NEW YORK, N.Y. – The third-seeded William Paterson women's basketball team (15-12) needed two extra periods, but the Pioneers eventually came away with a thrilling 90-80 double-overtime victory at second-seeded Hunter (17-10) Feb. 28 in the first round of the ECAC Tournament.

The Pioneers advance to the ECAC Tournament quarterfinals Friday, March 2, at 8:00 p.m. at Washington & Jefferson College. W&J will also host the semifinals and final Saturday and Sunday, March 3-4.

Trailing 35-24 at halftime and 51-42 entering the fourth quarter, the Pioneers fought their way back. Four points apiece from junior forward Simone Small and senior forward Tori Woetzel made it a one-point game (51-50, 8:15), and a Brianna Brooks free throw tied the score one second later. The Hawks stretched it back to a four-point lead (55-51, 6:44), and when two Julie Rovito free throws briefly gave WP a one-point edge at 58-57 with 3:29 on the clock, Hunter answered with a layup one minute later.

The Hawks' 2-for-2 trip to the charity stripe handed them a 64-61 advantage with 21 seconds remaining in regulation, but Woetzel drained the seventh three-pointer of her three-year career, tying the score with 16 seconds left to force overtime.

William Paterson never trailed during the first extra session, but two Hunter free throws with 0:28 left tied the game at 73-73.

Down by a 76-73 count at the 3:53 mark of the second overtime, the Pioneers took over with a 12-3 run for an 85-76 advantage with 1:22 on the clock.

Rovito notched the first triple-double of her career as the junior collected 26 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 steals. Woetzel had 18 tallies, 16 boards, six assists and four blocked shots, and Brooks added 13 points.

Junior guard Jade Aponte finished with 19 points for Hunter. Freshman forward Marlena Budna collected 15 tallies and 15 rebounds.

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