Renee Wells scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds as William Paterson defeated TCNJ 61-47 on Wednesday, improving to 16-1 overall and a perfect 10-0 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play.

The 10-0 conference start marks the Pioneers’ best NJAC opening since the 1997–98 season, when William Paterson finished 25-4 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

William Paterson never trailed after the opening minutes. Senior forward Patty Walsh opened the scoring with a jump shot, and although TCNJ’s Brooke McFadden answered with a 3-pointer, it proved to be the Lions’ only lead of the night.

The Pioneers led 14-11 after the first quarter and carried a 24-20 advantage into halftime, relying on a stifling defensive effort that featured full-court pressure throughout the game.

“Our guards — Luna, Jada, Matti and Kaelyn — do a great job pressuring the ball and disrupting teams,” Wells said. “That helps us keep our momentum.”

TCNJ briefly pulled within one early in the third quarter when senior guard Katie Fricker knocked down a 3-pointer, but William Paterson quickly seized control. Wells converted a contested layup for a three-point play, then followed with a jumper to extend the lead.

Junior guard Jada Jacobs added a layup, and junior Mattison Chiera followed with another inside basket off a Jacobs assist, capping a decisive 14-0 third-quarter run that gave the Pioneers full command.

“We were only up by four at halftime, but we preached sticking together in the locker room,” Wells said. “That made the difference.”

Head coach Erin Monahan, who has finished NJAC play with one loss three times but has never gone unbeaten, credited team chemistry for the program’s historic start.

“Our chemistry is real — from one through 15, we genuinely like each other,” Wells said. “It starts with bonding off the court.”

William Paterson returns to action Saturday, Jan. 24, when it travels to Galloway, N.J., to face Stockton (10-7) at The Sports Center.