Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women’s basketball team lost to eighth ranked William Paterson University, 78-63 on Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers are 19-1 overall and 8-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). The Profs have an 8-12 record with a 2-7 conference mark. Forward April Smith (sr. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) led the way with 30 points and 12 rebounds. It was her 16th double-double that is first in the NCAA Division III. She also moved up to fourth on William Paterson’s career scoring list with 1,441 points, surpassing Jill Struble (1,439). Guard BriAnna Lucas (sr. Hamilton, NJ/Nottingham) scored 25 points and grabbed six boards. Guard Floriana Borova (so. Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill) chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds. Forward Dana Jeter (so. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) collected 12 rebounds along with six points.
For Rowan, forward Lauren Gregg (sr. Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) and center Kate Matthews (fr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) each totaled 13 points and five rebounds. Forward Lauren Creel (sr. Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) added 12 points and five boards. Guard Alissa Lamey (sr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) dished eight assists.
Borova’s layup put William Paterson ahead by 17 points (47-30) at 16:23 in the second half. Guard Ashley Waring (sr. Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) hit a three-pointer at 13:19 and Rowan trailed by 11 (49-38). Smith’s two foul shots at 11:03 made the score 58-42. The Profs pulled within nine (60-51) after a 9-2 run that ended at 7:49 with a jumper by Matthews. With 6:51 remaining, Lucas’ layup gave the Pioneers a 13-point advantage (64-51).
Rowan cut the deficit to five points (64-59) with an 8-0 run. Guard Kaitlin Schullstrom (fr. Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) had a free throw (6:31) and Gregg drained a three (6:00). Creel made four straight foul shots, two at 5:30 and 5:16. William Paterson followed with six straight points to lead 70-59 at 3:23. Borova registered four points and Lucas added two. Creel’s jump shot (2:13) made the score 70-61. The Pioneers then closed out the game with an 8-2 surge. Lucas produced four points while Smith and Borova had two apiece.
In the first half, Gregg hit a jumper at 16:08 and the Profs trailed by three (9-6). Smith scored three straight baskets that increased the lead to nine (15-6) at 13:25. Gregg’s layup at 12:49 cut the deficit to four (15-11). The Pioneers answered with a 7-0 run that made the score 22-11 with 10:47 left. Smith contributed with five points and Lucas had two. At 8:31, Smith made a layup for a 16 point advantage (29-13).
Rowan trailed by 11 (29-18) at the five minute mark after two foul shots by Schullstrom. Lucas nailed a three at 3:44 to go up by 15 (37-22). Smith’s layup at 2:30 made the score 39-23. Waring converted three of four free throws to end the period down by 13 (39-26).
Next week, Rowan travels to Kean University on Wednesday, February 1 for a 6 p.m. NJAC game.
