WAYNE, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team fell to nationally recognized William Paterson University, 87–53, in an NJAC matchup on Saturday, January 10, at the Sports and Recreation Center. The Pioneers, who are receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 and rank No. 23 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Poll, improved their standing with a decisive home victory.
NJCU (5-6, 3-4 NJAC) struggled offensively, shooting 24.5 percent (19-for-55) from the field, including 26.7 percent (4-for-15) from three-point range, while converting 61.1 percent (11-for-18) at the free throw line. William Paterson shot efficiently throughout the contest, finishing at 48.6 percent (35-for-72) from the floor and 55.6 percent (10-for-18) from beyond the arc, though the Pioneers were limited to 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from the foul line.
William Paterson held advantages across the stat sheet, including points off turnovers (28–10), second-chance points (18–6), bench points (32–6), points in the paint (48–16), and fast-break scoring (18–2), controlling the tempo for much of the afternoon.
Sophomore Meghan Gentile (Roseland, N.J./Immaculate Conception) paced the Gothic Knights with 17 points while adding two rebounds. Junior Na'tori Postell (Passaic, N.J./Passaic Arts & Science Charter) contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while junior Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, along with three blocks and two steals. Junior Bailey Cassell (Palmdale, Calif./Pete Knight) was active on both ends, registering a game-high four steals to go along with five rebounds, three assists, and three points.
Five Pioneers scored in double figures, led by Jada Jacobs, who finished with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Mattison Chiera followed with 17 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting, adding two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Leilani Pinder and Megan Sears combined for 24 points and eight rebounds, while Renee Wells chipped in 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Kasey Slade pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, and Luna Kirby facilitated the offense with a game-high six assists.
Gentile opened the scoring for NJCU in the opening minute following a steal by Cassell. William Paterson responded with a dominant 20–3 run to seize early momentum and build a 20–5 lead. The Pioneers maintained control throughout the quarter, holding a 15-point advantage at the end of the first period. Gentile and Postell accounted for seven of NJCU's points in the opening frame.
In the second quarter, NJCU received contributions from five different scorers but was unable to cut the deficit to single digits. The Gothic Knights entered halftime trailing 37–25, with senior Dionna Lenardo (Bayonne, NJ/Hudson Catholic) closing the half by converting an and-one opportunity.
William Paterson came out strong in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 10–2 run to extend its lead to 48–27. NJCU continued to struggle defensively on the perimeter, surrendering four three-pointers as the Pioneers stretched the margin to 69–35 by the end of the third quarter.
The Gothic Knights trimmed the deficit to 32 points early in the fourth quarter, but William Paterson continued to dominate, particularly in the paint, to secure the 87–53 NJAC victory.
UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, January 14, when it hosts Rutgers–Camden in an NJAC matchup at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
