Women’s basketball claim victory 57-54

Photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics

The Ramapo College women’s basketball team secured a big victory, 57-54 on Saturday, Feb. 15 in some NJAC action against William Paterson University at home on senior day. The win improves the Roadrunners to a 10-14 overall record and 4-13 in conference play.  

William Paterson snagged the first basket, but it didn’t take long for Ramapo to get back in the game. The teams traded baskets in the first four minutes, that is until guard Cherie Smedile put out a good three pointer to bump the Roadrunners ahead 7-6 at 5:44. 

William Paterson responded with a 6-0 mini run, but Ramapo tied it up again, 12-12 at 2:45 after center Jessica Repasy posted a three-pointer followed by a good jump. No further points were scored by the Roadrunners and they trailed 19-12 upon completion of the first quarter.  

The Pioneers kept climbing the board at the start of the second, but the Roadrunners strung together a 6-0 run started by Repasy with two clean free throws at 5:32. Guard Stacey Porzl capped the run with a fastbreak layup to shrink the gap to 26-24 at 3:45, with Ramapo still down by two. Smedile posted another three-pointer and closed out the scoring for Ramapo in the first half. The scoreboard read 30-27 in William Paterson’s favor at the buzzer.  

For the half, Ramapo shot 10-26 (39%) field goals and hit 4-4 (100%) from the line.

Forward Jenna Harsh contributed the first basket of the second half, a three-pointer to tie the game 30-30 at 8:33. More baskets were exchanged by both teams, but Harsh responded again with a three-pointer to push the Roadrunners into the lead 39-38, with only 1:36 left on the clock. Center Alie Wickersheim stole the last point of the quarter by nailing a free throw and closing out the third with Ramapo on top, 40-38.  

This time, Ramapo would be the team to climb the board at the start of the quarter, going on a 5-0 run with Harsh being the only scorer; she posted a three-pointer followed by two free throws, causing Ramapo to lead 47-40 at 8:01. The defense on both teams worked hard for the next four minutes as no further points were scored until the four minute mark: a three-pointer put out by William Paterson to attempt a comeback. The Roadrunners continued to match the Pioneers as the clock ran down, keeping their lead. Ramapo led by three at the sound of the final buzzer, earning an NJAC win against William Paterson, 57-54.  

Ramapo posted 7-21 (33.3%) from the field and collected 13-20 (65%) free throws for the second half.  

Harsh completed the double-double on the day as she contributed 15 points, including three three-point goals and she posted ten rebounds. Guard Samantha Rinaldi nailed down 13 points of her own, followed by Repasy who tallied 11 with one three-pointer.  

The team hit a combined 17-47 (36%) field goals in the win, gaining 19 points off turnovers.  

Congratulations and good luck to the senior players who were celebrated in honor of senior day: Stacey Porzl, Cherie Smedile, Abbegail Wildin, Jessica Repasy, Jenna Harsh and Samantha Rinaldi.  

The women’s basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 19 as they travel to Jersey City for their final game of the regular season. The tip off with NJAC opponent New Jersey City University starts at 6 p.m. 

 

ksutphin@ramapo.edu