NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark's women came agonizingly close to getting home court for the opening round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament and tying the school record with their 20th win of the season, but league-leading William Paterson would not be denied.
Junior forward Asia Johnson, who finished with 26 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots, rallied William Paterson in overtime for a 65-60 New Jersey Athletic Conference win over Rutgers-Newark in The Golden Dome.
NCAA STATISTICS
The win gave the Pioneers (20-5, NJAC 11-2), the North Division winner, the top overall seed in upcoming NJAC Championship Tournament while sending the Scarlet Raiders (19-6, NJAC 8-5) to Kean on Monday for a 7 p.m. opening-round contest in the playoffs.
Back-to-back conventional 3-point plays by senior guard Michelle Pellichero and Johnson gave the Pioneers a 59-55 lead with 2:02 left in overtime. Pellichero finished with 11 points, a game-high five assists and two steals for William Paterson.
RAIDER VISION HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Senior guard Sabrina Sanchez had a late chance to tie it for the Raiders, but her 3-point jumper from the right side bounced away where Pioneer sophomore guard Eliza Brown hauled in the rebound. Brown, who was fouled with just 1.9 ticks left, ice the game by making two free throws. Brown tallied 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in the contest.
Raider senior guard Nerlande Nicolas forced the overtime period when she buried a 3-point buzzer beater from the right corner, knotting things as 52-52. Nicolas posted 13 points, six rebounds and four assists for Rutgers-Newark.
Senior forward Eni Fageyinbo posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while also handing out three assists for the Raiders. Senior forward Toni Roselli hit two of four from beyond the arc on her way to 10 points and added a game-high four steals. Junior forward Bimpe Fageyinbo scored nine points and collared seven rebounds while senior center Stephanie Ross got seven points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals before fouling out in overtime.
In a game marked by 53 turnovers, the Pioneers earned the win at the charity line. Behind Johnon's 12-for-17 free throw effort, William Paterson made 25 of 38 for the night. Rutgers-Newark netted 14 of 23.
