Senior forward Patty Walsh posted 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead William Paterson to a 97-49 win over Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday.
Walsh added two blocks to record her fourth double-double of the season as the Pioneers held the Scarlet Raiders to 31% shooting.
Rutgers-Newark kept the game close early, tying the score at 10 midway through the first quarter. William Paterson responded with a 14-8 run to close the period and took a 37-24 lead into halftime.
The Pioneers put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring Rutgers-Newark 37-10 to open the door for extended minutes from the bench. William Paterson rested its starters for the entire fourth quarter.
“I’m just glad everyone got in done top to bottom, I’m glad to see all my girls get some buckets, and I’m just proud of everyone,” Walsh said.
Rutgers-Newark entered the contest with only seven active players and finished with four. Senior guard Sanaa Brodie and senior forward Jaielyn Alston fouled out, while senior center Emily Leiras exited with a lower-leg injury in the third quarter.
Senior guard Luna Kirby added 16 points for William Paterson, her second-highest scoring output this season. Senior Renee Wells chipped in 10 points, while reigning NJAC Player of the Week Jada Jacobs filled the stat sheet with three points, six rebounds, four assists and six steals.
The Pioneers’ bench played a key role in the win. Junior forward Menna Hafiz scored 14 points in 13 minutes, and senior forward Megan Sears finished with 12 points.
“Any game we can get six girls in double digits is a good one… we look forward to the next game, everyone was very happy with other,” Walsh said.
Entering the week, William Paterson made national waves, earning a No. 17 ranking in the WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the NCAA Power Index. With March approaching, the Pioneers are positioning themselves as a potential automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament.
William Paterson improved to 20-1 overall and 14-0 in NJAC play. The Pioneers travel to Jersey City this week to face NJCU at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center. The matchup could be the final NJAC meeting between the programs, as NJCU is set to move to the CUNYAC beginning with the 2026-27 season.
