The Ramapo women’s basketball team faced William Paterson on Wednesday night in a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup at the Bradley Center, resulting in an 82-66 Ramapo loss. The Roadrunners put up a good fight until the end, having fallen behind for the first half, but the lady Roadrunners kept it together and fought until the very last few seconds of the game.
Having started off the game with a missed jumper from senior Micaela Moore, the Roadrunners quickly got their head in the game because they knew it was a big game for their four seniors. Kelly Haspel, Anna Fucci, Micaela Moore and Alayna Donadio all played their last home game as a Roadrunner. Spirits were high on the court as these four seniors played their hearts out. It was a tough game for Ramapo, having lost to William Paterson earlier in the season 81-73 Ramapo. They walked on the court knowing it was going to be a hard-hitting game.
The Roadrunners will get another chance to beat William Paterson in the first round of the NJAC tournament. The third-seeded Pioneers will host the sixth place Roadrunners on Saturday in a win or go home scenario.
At the end of the first half, William Paterson took a 10-point lead, leaving fans wondering if Ramapo could come back. By the middle of the second half, it became a close call with Ramapo inching their way up to try and tie it. William Paterson kept their strong momentum going and never game up.
Even with the loss, the Roadrunners had a lot to celebrate. It was their senior night, and family and friends came to congratulate and celebrate the seniors’ last home game as Ramapo Roadrunners.
Donadio, who scored seven points last night, reflected on her last season playing college basketball.
“Our overall season was good, we made the NJAC playoffs and making a postseason was one of our team goals so it’s great we were able to accomplish that,” she said.
She said that she is already looking forward to the tournament game against William Paterson.
“We play William Paterson first round, and after playing them tonight we have a lot to work on and prepare for, but if we play the way we are capable of playing for 40 minutes, I think we have a good shot at winning and hopefully making it to the second round,” Donadio said.
Besides it being senior day, Moore had more to think about than just her last home game–she was trying to achieve her 1,000th career point, something that isn’t easy to accomplish. It’s something only 10 other lady Roadrunners in the past have achieved.
Moore only needed 18 points to achieve her goal, and she got 19. When asked about how she felt reaching her goal, Moore said she “couldn’t have done it without my team, I love you guys.”
Coach Mike Eineker was extremely proud of Moore, and said, “It was nice to see Mic get her 1,000th point and have some fun with that.”
He went on to hope for the best at the game this Saturday where they face William Paterson again at their campus at 1 pm.
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cstedges@ramapo.edu
