For the first time in program history, the William Paterson women’s basketball team completed an undefeated New Jersey Athletic Conference regular season with an 80-41 victory over Ramapo College.
William Paterson (24-1, 18-0 NJAC) controlled the game from the opening tip, scoring the first 14 points before Ramapo got on the board with a pair of free throws from freshman forward Vanessa Kohler. The Roadrunners were without starting point guard Denay Jones, a key absence that showed early.
The Pioneers did not allow a field goal in the first quarter, building a commanding 22-4 lead capped by a buzzer-beating layup from junior guard Mattison Chiera. Ramapo committed seven turnovers in the opening period and added 12 more in the second quarter as William Paterson extended its advantage to 22 at halftime. Kohler provided a brief spark with a tip-in late in the half, but the Roadrunners struggled to find consistent offense.
Having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NJAC tournament, William Paterson rotated its bench heavily late in the first half and throughout the contest. Head coach Erin Monahan could be heard from the sideline emphasizing ball security, repeatedly calling out, “Take care of the basket
ball.”
The Pioneers maintained their intensity after the break. Senior guard Luna Kirby knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and senior forward Patty Walsh followed with a post hook to push the lead to 28. A three from the left wing by junior guard Jada Jacobs stretched the margin to 31.
A defining sequence came midway through the third quarter when Walsh blocked Kohler on consecutive possessions, first with a clean snatch block and then with a forceful swat, igniting the home crowd and eliminating any momentum Ramapo hoped to build.
William Paterson closed out the game with contributions across the roster, including baskets from sophomore guard Anna Primerano and junior forward Menna Haffiz, along with a deep 2-pointer from sophomore forward Leliani Pinder.
Kirby led all scorers with 14 points, Wells added 13 for William Paterson, and Pinder chipped in 12. Jacobs flirted with a full statline of 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
For the Roadrunners, Kohler’s 13 was the only player for Ramapo to be above double-digits. Junior guard Lauren Flatt and sophomore forward Emma Cartwright notched six apiece.
The 18-0 conference mark sets a single-season NJAC record for most league wins, surpassing Montclair State University’s previous record of 17.
With the victory, the Pioneers enter the postseason as one of the hottest teams in Division III basketball winning 14 in a row.
William Paterson will host the winner of the No. 4 Stockton vs. No. 5 Montclair State quarterfinal matchup in the NJAC semifinals at the Sports and Recreation Center in Wayne, N.J. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
