Box Score
WAYNE, NJ – The William Paterson University women’s basketball team defeated Rowan University, 75-60 in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday night.
William Paterson (25-1) will play in the conference final at Kean University (25-1) on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. Kean had a 92-68 win over the North second seed Montclair State University in the semifinals. The Pioneers are the top seed in the North Division while the Cougars are seeded first in the South Division. Both teams received a bye in the first round. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Rowan, the second seed from the South Division, ends the season with a 17-9 record. The Profs advanced to the semifinals with a 72-65 victory against the North third seed Ramapo College in the first round.
The Pioneers had four players that scored in double figures. Guard Elisa Brown (sr. Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds. Guard BriAnna Lucas (so. Hamilton, NJ/Nottingham) followed with 16 points. Guards Erin Cook (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) and Julie Haledjian (sr. Montvale, NJ/Pascack Hills) each contributed with 11 points. Cook also pulled down a game-high 16 boards and forward Stephanie Summers (sr. Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) registered 11.
For the Profs, forward Amanda Jennings (sr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Danielle Rohe (sr. Dumont, NJ/Dumont) scored 12 points and forward Michelle Lala (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) added 10. Guards Gina Catanzariti (jr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and Alissa Lamey (so. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) chipped in with nine points apiece. Catanzariti and Lala totaled seven and six rebounds respectively.
In the first half, William Paterson jumped out to a 12-2 lead in 5:25. Brown scored eight of the 12 points. Rowan pulled within seven points (15-8) on a jumper by Jennings at 12:32. Brown’s layup put the Pioneers ahead 22-10 (10:22). Lucas had a basket at 7:58 for a 10 point advantage (24-14). The Profs trailed by five points (24-19) at 6:38 after scoring five straight points. Lala made three foul shots and Rohe had a layup.
Rohe hit a three-pointer (5:09) and guard Lauren Creel (so. Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) nailed two free throws (4:38) to cut the deficit to one (25-24). The Pioneers closed the period with a 12-4 run to lead 37-28 at the intermission. Cooke contributed with two baskets while guard Lindsey Callander (fr. Branchburg, NJ/Somerville) and Brown each had a three and Haledjian made a layup. Brown totaled 16 first half points and Jennings compiled 14.
The Pioneers started the second stanza with a 7-2 spurt to go ahead by 14 points (44-30) at 16:58. The Profs came within 11 points (50-39) after a three-pointer by Catanzariti at 13:25. Callander’s three stretched the lead to 16 points (59-43) with 8:48 remaining. Lala had a layup at 8:38 and Rowan trailed 59-45. Cook’s layup (4:39) made the score 68-48. With 2:34 on the clock, Cook gave the Pioneers their biggest lead of 21 points (71-50) with a foul shot. The Profs followed with a 10-2 run to pull within 13 points (73-60) at the 52 second mark. Catanzariti and Rohe scored four points apiece and Lamey added two. William Paterson made two of four free throws to end the game.
