WAYNE, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University led by as many as five points in the first half before William Paterson University broke open a close game with an 11-2 run midway through the second half as the Pioneers posted their 25^th consecutive win over NJCU, 78-70, in New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball action on December 3 at the Rec Center.
 
After a 3-0 start to the season, NJCU (3-3, 0-3 NJAC) has dropped its last three since the start of conference play. Meanwhile, the Pioneers improved to 5-2 overall and maintained an early-season share of first place in the NJAC at 3-0.
 
In a sloppy game for both sides, the schools combined to commit 63 turnovers with only 34 forced via steals. NJCU was responsible for 35 giveaways. Remarkable, WP only had a 28-27 edge in points off turnovers.
 
The loss spoiled yet another double-double for one-time NJAC Player of the Week and sophomore power forward Bria Smith (Bayonne, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) who registered the 13^th double-double of her career and third of the season, with 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes. She shot 5-of-11 from the field and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw stripe. She has now converted 27 of her last 29 foul shots.
 
William Paterson salvaged a 39-37 lead at the half after a back-and-fourth opening period. WP continued to lead 46-42 with 16:38 remaining before five different Pioneers contributed to the 11-2 swing that was capped by a three by Julie Rovito with 11:57 left and a jumper by Sadi Bridgeman that elevated the margin to 13, 57-44, with 10:46 to go. NJCU was held without a field goal for a span of 8:01 in the middle of the period.
 

NJCU made a late push in the final minute when trailing by 11, it whittled the lead to four, 74-70, with 20 seconds left, after three-pointers by rookie guard Irelynn Donovan (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) and senior guard Jade Medley (Queens, NY/Hudson Catholic), sandwiched around a Medley transition basket off a turnover, made it interesting, before WP iced it with two foul shots.
 In defeat, three players scored in double figures for NJCU. In addition to Smith, junior guard Kiana Briggs (Paterson, NJ/ Passaic County Tech) collected 12 points (5-12 FG) and Medley finished with 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3FG) and three steals. Donovan (3-5 FG) also had eight, shooting 2-of-3 from three-point range.
 
NJCU shot 53.8 percent in the first half (15-28) and was good on 81.3 percent of its foul shots (13-16), but the Pioneers spent much of the night on the line and capitalized there, making 28-of-40 from the stripe (.700).
 
Four players hit for double figures for the hosts, led by Maya Harris with 21 points on equivalent 7-of-12 shooting from the line and field. She added 11 boards for a 33-minute double-double.
 
Also for WP, Jackie Rodriguez had 15 points with all of her attempts from three-point distance (3-9) and 6-of-7 foul shooting with four steals. Ashley Marfo contributed 13 points (5-7 FG), six rebounds and four assists and Brittany Harden finished with 10 points.
 
OF NOTE:

• 66^th meeting. William Paterson leads the all-time series, 57-9, and has won has won 25 consecutive meetings since the 2001-02 season.
• NJCU, which had not committed more than 17 turnovers in its first five games of the season, more than doubled that total in the loss.
• NJCU committed 30+ turnovers in a game for the first time since December 12, 2012 at Montclair State (32 turnovers).
• The 35 turnovers are the most since November 19, 2011 when it had 36 in a neutral court overtime loss to Cabrini.
• William Paterson's 28 turnovers marked the third opponent to have at least 25 in a game this season. No opponent has committed less than 19 against NJCU's defense.
• Bria Smith reached double figures in scoring for the 20^th time in her young career and fifth time this season.
• Smith hauled in double digits in rebounding for the 18^th time as a collegian and third time this season.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
On Saturday, December 6, NJCU hosts Rowan University in NJAC action at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center in Jersey City (2 p.m.). Last year, NJCU swept a season series from the Profs for the first time in 25 years (1988-89), winning 61-57 on January 25, 2014 in Jersey City. It will be the 53^rd meeting; Rowan leads the all-time series, 40-12. Rowan will enter this year's first meeting tied with William Paterson and Montclair State for first in the league and unbeaten overall (6-0, 3-0 NJAC).