WAYNE, N.J. (Feb. 11, 2023) – The Rutgers University-Camden women's basketball team held William Paterson University scoreless for 4:18 in the first quarter and never trailed in the game as it defeated the Pioneers, 64-55, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Saturday.
 
The win avenges the Scarlet Raptors' 67-53 home loss against the Pioneers on Jan. 14 and snaps Paterson's three-game winning streak in the all-time series. Rutgers-Camden improves to 4-20 overall and 2-15 in the NJAC, while Paterson falls to 14-10 overall and 9-8 in the conference.
 
The game was tied just once, at 2-2, before field goals by senior guard/forwards Rahzirah Blocker and Jalissa Pitts put the Scarlet Raptors ahead, 6-2. The Pioneers cut the gap to 6-5 on a three-pointer by junior guard Brianna Smith, but those were the last points William Paterson managed until 1:52 remaining in the opening half, a scoreless streak of 4:18. By that time, Rutgers-Camden had rattled off 11 straight points, sparked by a field goal from sophomore forward Ariana Garcia. The run included four points by Jalissa Pitts and three by her sister, junior guard Jania Pitts.
 
Rutgers-Camden, which had lost two straight games and nine of 10 entering the contest, led 21-8 after one quarter and 37-25 at halftime. Midway through the second quarter, the Scarlet Raptors enjoyed their biggest lead at 35-19.
 
William Paterson cut the gap to seven points on several occasions in the second half, with the last being at 60-53 with 1:16 remaining in the game. Rutgers-Camden closed out the win with a foul shot by Garcia and two free throws by Blocker.
 
Jalissa Pitts finished with 20 points to hike her career total to 1,101. Blocker added a double-double of 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, while Jania Pitts collected 14 points, including four treys. Jalissa Pitts added seven rebounds and Jania Pitts collected six boards and four assists.
 
Garcia tied her career high with seven points. Senior guard Abigail Sampona collected five points, five rebounds and tied her career high with five steals.
 
William Paterson received 13 points from freshman forward Renee Wells, while senior guard Yakira Rosa scored 11 and Smith added 10. Senior forward/guard Justina Cabezas collected 10 rebounds and barely missed a double-double, scoring nine points.
 
The Scarlet Raptors shot 23-for-50 (46.0 percent) from the floor while holding the Pioneers to 21-for-76 (27.6) shooting, including 4-for-22 (18.2) from three-point range. Paterson held a 48-40 advantage off the boards.
 
The Scarlet Raptors close their season Wednesday with a 6 p.m. game at New Jersey City University.