Wayne, N.J. – Despite trailing by double-digits entering the fourth quarter, the William Paterson women's basketball team (3-1) rallied to force an overtime period before securing a 75-71 win against Drew (4-1) on Nov. 19.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Drew built its lead to 12 (61-49) with 8:59 remaining in the fourth quarter before back-to-back baskets by junior Brianna Smith sparked a 16-2 run that put the Pioneers ahead by two with 2:07 on the clock.
• The Rangers evened the score with 1:38 remaining and the game went into overtime.
• Late in the overtime period, Drew made four consecutive foul shots and held a two-point advantage (71-69) with 1:31 left to play. However, the Pioneers worked to get to the charity stripe themselves and went on a 6-0 run with all six points coming from the foul line to close out the contest and grab the home win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Smith filled up the stat sheet after scoring a game-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists. She shot 6-of-14 (.428) from the floor, 3-of-6 (.500) from deep and made eight foul shots. 
• It was her second 20-point scoring performance of the season.
• Freshman Renee Wells logged double figures in the scoring column for the second straight game with a career-best 15 points.
• Senior Justina Cabezas notched her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• Senior Allison McBride tallied 11 points and reeled in six boards.
• The Pioneers' 3-1 start to the year is the best for the program since the 2017-18 team opened the year with a 4-1 mark.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will head to Union, N.J., on Tuesday, Nov. 22, to begin New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play at Kean with tipoff slated for 6:00 p.m.