JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University women's basketball team dropped an 83-65 decision to No. 20 William Paterson in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action on Saturday, February 7, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. With the victory, the Pioneers clinched the 2025–26 NJAC regular-season title.
NJCU (8-14, 6-9 NJAC) shot 31.3 percent (20-of-64) from the field, including 33.3 percent (7-of-21) from three-point range, while converting 75.0 percent (18-of-24) from the free throw line. William Paterson (21-1, 15-0 NJAC) finished the contest shooting 32.9 percent (27-of-82) overall, 11.1 percent (2-of-18) from beyond the arc, and 81.8 percent (27-of-33) from the charity stripe. The Pioneers controlled key statistical categories, including points off turnovers (17-2), second-chance points (16-9), bench points (21-8), points in the paint (44-18), and fast-break points (10-8).
Sophomore Meghan Gentile (Roseland, N.J./Immaculate Conception) led the Gothic Knights with 23 points, shooting 7-of-20 from the floor and 5-of-12 from three-point range. She added five rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Junior Na'tori Postell (Passaic, N.J./Passaic Arts & Science Charter) contributed 20 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line, while also recording a team-high three steals, one block, and five rebounds. Freshman Melanie Jimenez (New York City, N.Y./Inwood Academy for Leadership) posted season highs with seven rebounds and eight points, along with one assist. Junior Autumn John (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) added eight points, five rebounds, and two assists, while senior Bailey Cassell (Palmdale, Calif./Pete Knight) finished with six rebounds, three points, and two assists.
William Paterson was led by Renee Wells, who scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting and 7-of-10 from the free throw line, while pulling down nine rebounds and recording a team-high two steals. Mattison Chiera added 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Luna Kirby and Kealyn Gowdy combined for 22 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Jada Jacobs grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and contributed six assists and two blocks. Patty Walsh chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
NJCU jumped out to an early advantage, using an 11-2 run midway through the first quarter to take a 15-5 lead. The spurt was sparked by a three-pointer from Gentile and capped by another long-range make, giving the Gothic Knights a double-digit cushion with under three minutes remaining. William Paterson responded with eight unanswered points to close the quarter, trimming the deficit to 15-13.
The Pioneers regained the lead early in the second quarter, as Gowdy converted an and-one in the opening seconds. After a brief scoring drought, William Paterson rattled off nine straight points to build a 25-17 advantage with 3:54 remaining in the half. The Pioneers closed strong, taking their first double-digit lead at 34-24 in the final 30 seconds before heading into halftime with a 36-24 advantage.
NJCU responded with its strongest stretch of the game in the third quarter, outscoring William Paterson 23-22 to cut the deficit to 58-47. The Gothic Knights shot 50.0 percent from the field (8-of-16), 50.0 percent from three-point range (3-of-6), and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line during the period. Gentile led the surge with 12 points in the quarter.
William Paterson maintained control in the fourth quarter, extending its lead to as many as 20 points. With 23 seconds remaining, the Pioneers pushed the margin to 83-62 before Postell knocked down a three-pointer in the final 15 seconds to set the final score at 83-65. Postell led NJCU in the quarter with nine points.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, February 11, when they travel to Montclair State for a 5:00 p.m. NJAC matchup.
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