CAMDEN, N.J. (Jan. 14, 2023) – Senior forward Justina Cabezas collected 27 points to lead three William Paterson University players in double figures as the Pioneers defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 67-53, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Saturday afternoon.
 
Paterson improves to 11-5 overall and 6-3 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 2-14 and 0-9.
 
Paterson leads the all-time series, 57-14.
 
Behind the play of senior guard/forwards Jalissa Pitts and Rahzirah Blocker, the Scarlet Raptors jumped to a quick 10-4 lead before the Pioneers rallied and took their first lead, 12-10, on a trey by freshman forward Renee Wells. Paterson held a 14-12 lead after one quarter, but Rutgers-Camden the game was tied three times (14-14, 16-16 and 18-18) early in the second quarter. Paterson finally took the lead for good, 20-18, on a layup by senior forward Allison McBride, sparking a five-point run.
 
By halftime the visitors were ahead, 30-23, and they stretched their lead to as many as 15 points (60-45) in the second half.
 
Cabezas added six rebounds, four steals and two assists to here 27 points, while shooting 12-for-17 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the foul line.
 
Junior guard Brianna Smith notched 14 points, four steals and five rebounds for the Pioneers, while Wells had 13 points, five rebounds and a game-high five assists.
 
Blocker finished with a big night for the Raptors, scoring 27 points while also shooting 12-for-17 from the floor. She was 3-for-3 from the foul line and added five rebounds. Jalissa Pitts canned 15 points, while junior guard Jania Pitts notched nine points.
 
Junior forward Carleigh Galasso grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and also tied senior guard teammate Abigail Sampona for the team assist lead with three.
 
Paterson shot 25-for-56 from the floor (44.6 percent) and Rutgers-Camden was 20-for-54 (37.0).  The Pioneers held a 38-31 advantage off the boards.
 
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Wednesday with a 5 p.m. NJAC road game at The College of New Jersey.