William Paterson University led just twice in the first 36 minutes of the game, but received a three-pointer by junior guard Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, NJ/Bishop Ahr) with 2:19 remaining, and a decisive three-point play by senior forward Melissa Moore (East Orange, NJ/North Bergen) with 5.6 seconds left, as the Pioneers survived for a 51-46 win over New Jersey City University, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference North Division game, Wednesday at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
With the win, WPU (13-2, 4-0 NJAC) wins its 11th consecutive game and for the 13th time in 14 outings. It was the Pioneers’ ninth straight win over the Knights. NJCU, playing its first game since December 21, falls to 3-9 overall and 0-4 in the league, losing seven of eight.
WPU won despite shooting just 26.1 percent from the field (18-69) and 23.5 percent from three-point range (4-17). The Pioneers received a game-high 15 points in 36 minutes from Pellichero, but she shot 6-of-19 from the field and 3-of-10 from deep. She was WPU’s only player in double figures.
Junior forward TIFFANY BOYD (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln), who ranks No. 2 in Division III in blocked shots, posted her second double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points (4-7 FG), and game-highs of 10 rebounds (seven defensive) and five blocks in 32 minutes.
NJCU senior point guard LATRESE McNAIR (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) poured in 12 points (4-14 FG, 2-9 3FG), with eight rebounds and two steals in 37 minutes. The two steals gives her 406 in her career, as she moved into 16th place in NCAA Division III history in swipes. Now with 992 career points, she is eight shy of becoming the eighth player in school history to join the 1,000-point club.
Also for NJCU, junior forward ARNESE GOODMAN (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) added 12 points (5-14 FG), six rebounds and two blocks.
WPU freshman guard Elisa Brown (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) had nine
rebounds, six points and two blocks. Senior guard Luci Custis (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark) chipped in eight points (2-9 FG) and three assists.
NJCU had an early 11-3 lead and two seven-point margin in the first period, and held a 27-25 edge at the intermission. The hosts maintained a seven-point, 39-32 margin with 11:48 remaining off a Goodman jumper, off a Boyd assist, moments after Boyd had an offensive rebound and putback.
A Custis three tied it at 41-41 to cap a 9-2 run with 8:00 left. Goodman drained a three with 5:32 remaining for a 44-41 NJCU advantage, before jumpers by Pellichero (5:08) and Brown (4:20), gave the Pioneers a 45-44 lead—their first since the opening minute of the game.
McNair’s jumper with 3:51 remaining made it 46-45, but that would prove to be NJCU’s final points of the game. Pellichero drained the go-ahead three, before Moore’s driving lay-up and subsequent free-throw capped the game at 51-46.
Both teams shot less than 30 percent from the field and 24 percent from three-point range. WPU made 26.1 percent of its shots (18-69) and 4-of-17 from three-point territory (.235), while NJCU was 16-of-59 (.271) and 4-of-25 from deep (.160). NJCU blocked 10 shots overall in defeat.
NJCU will return to action on Saturday, January 13 with an NJAC game at 3 p.m. against Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. WPU hosts Ramapo College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score William Paterson University vs New Jersey City University 01/10/07 6 p.m. at Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) At Jersey City, NJ (John J. Moore AFC) WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY 51, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 46 WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY (13-2, 4-0 NJAC) Michelle Pellichero 6-19 0-0 15; Lucila Custis 2-9 3-4 8; Melissa Moore 2-8 3-4 7; Elisa Brown 3-8 0-0 6; Brooke Keenan 1-3 2-2 4; Stephanie Summers 1-5 1-2 3; Lori Custis 1-5 1-2 3; Julie Haledjian 1-7 1-2 3; Asia Johnson 1-3 0-0 2; Meghan Ludgate 0-1 0-0 0; Alima Williams 0-0 0-0 0; Joi Stevens 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-69 11-16 51. NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (3-9, 0-4 NJAC) Tiffany Boyd 4-7 5-7 13; Arnese Goodman 5-14 0-0 12; Latrese McNair 4-14 2-3 12; Carolina Garcia 1-6 2-2 4; Kelly Wilson 1-2 1-1 3; Jerica Hayes 1-7 0-0 2; Trisha Sanon 0-3 0-0 0; Michelle Vasquez 0-3 0-0 0; Natashia Clackley 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 16-59 10-13 46. William Paterson University... 25 26 - 51 New Jersey City University.... 27 19 - 46 3-point goals--William Paterson University 4-17 (Michelle Pellichero 3-10; Lucila Custis 1-3; Elisa Brown 0-2; Julie Haledjian 0-2), New Jersey City University 4-25 (Arnese Goodman 2-8; Latrese McNair 2-9; Jerica Hayes 0-5; Carolina Garcia 0-3). Fouled out--William Paterson University-Lori Custis, New Jersey City University-None. Rebounds--William Paterson University 48 (Elisa Brown 9), New Jersey City University 46 (Tiffany Boyd 10). Assists--William Paterson University 10 (Lucila Custis 3), New Jersey City University 12 (Carolina Garcia 4). Total fouls--William Paterson University 19, New Jersey City University 16. Technical fouls--William Paterson University-None, New Jersey City University-None. A-219 WPU wins ninth straight in series and 11th consecutive game in 2006-07 season.