WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson women's basketball team (5-14, 3-9 NJAC) dropped a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) home game to New Jersey City (10-7, 8-4 NJAC), 76-58, Jan. 24 at the Sports and Recreation Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• William Paterson jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first quarter with 5:32 on the clock before the Gothic Knights put up 10 unanswered points to go ahead by four (14-10).
• The two sides traded baskets for most of the second quarter and New Jersey City carried a nine-point lead (36-27) into the second half.
• The Pioneers got as close as seven (42-35) with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter before the Gothic Knights built an insurmountable lead following a 22-8 run that extended their advantage to 21 (64-43) at the end of the frame.
• William Paterson opened the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run but it was too late as the Gothic Knights maintained their double-digit lead and secured the 76-58 road conference win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore Patricia Walsh led the Pioneers in scoring with 17 points on 8-of-12 (.667) shooting with five blocks and three rebounds.
• Senior Brianna Smith finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
• Junior Esmeralda Ruiz went 3-for-5 (.600) from the floor for 10 points to pair with three boards.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson heads to Galloway, N.J., Saturday, Jan. 27, for a 1:00 p.m. NJAC game at Stockton.