POMONA, NJ — Second-seeded Richard Stockton (17-9) edged third-seeded William Paterson (15-12) 75-70 in an NJAC semifinal tonight to advance to Sunday’s conference championship game. The Ospreys fought back from a 15-point first-half deficit to post their fifth consecutive win. Jenna Shenk hit four three-pointers and scored a career-high 23 points to lead Stockton to victory. Alicia Morris added 11 markers and Lisa Zak tossed in 10 points. Stockton will host fourth-seeded Rowan on Sunday at 2 pm in the NJAC title game. Rowan ousted top-seeded The College of New Jersey 70-67 tonight.

Luci Custis paced William Paterson with 18 points and Adrienne Kopko registered 16 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double. Melissa Moore and Sheakia Jackson contributed 11 points apiece for the Pioneers.

William Paterson used a 17-4 run to open up a 29-14 lead with 7:46 left in the first half. Stockton then outscored the Pioneers 18-4 the rest of the half to pull within 33-32 at intermission. Shenk led all players with 11 first-half points and Kopko countered with 10 points and 10 boards for WPU. The teams went back and forth in the second half, which featured eight ties. Michelle Pellichero drained a clutch three-pointer to give William Paterson a 70-68 edge with 1:23 to play. Shenk tied the game with two free throws 23 seconds later and then Takisha Pride drove to the basket and scored to put Stockton ahead 72-70 with 23 ticks left. The Ospreys went 3-4 at the line in the final moments to seal the 75-70 win.

As the higher remaining seed, #2 Stockton will host #4 Rowan on Sunday at 2 pm in the NJAC championship game. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Stockton defeated Rowan twice during the regular season.