William Paterson boots Ramapo out of women’s basketball tournament

Photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics.

The Ramapo College women’s basketball team headed into the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Basketball Tournament ranked as the fifth seed. On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Roadrunners traveled to take on No. 4 seed William Paterson University. 

During the regular season match-ups, Ramapo had lost both times, one game by two points, and the other by three. The Roadrunners went into this game with hopes of finally pulling the victory, but were unable to do so. Ramapo lost, 63-57, ending their season. 

Ramapo started the game off on fire, and held an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. However, a 6-0 run in the start of the second quarter helped the Pioneers cut the deficit to two. Yet even with the push by William Paterson in the second quarter, Ramapo headed into halftime with a 34-27 lead. 

In the third quarter, the Pioneer offense picked up, with William Paterson going on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 38 with a minute left. The game remained close and kept being tied up each possession until there were four minutes left to play in the fourth quarter. 

During those crucial minutes William Paterson was able to separate from the Roadrunners, creating a five-point differential, holding onto their 55-50 lead. Ramapo attempted everything they could to get the ball back from the Pioneers and create offensive opportunities, but nothing worked. It did not help that William Paterson would go 4-for-6 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to secure their win.  

Bridget Cahill and Jackie Ventricelli each led with 15 points for the Roadrunners. Jada Thompson posted her seventh double-double of the year, scoring 13 points and collecting ten rebounds, along with five assists and two steals. 

In addition to the game, Ramapo’s Alie Wickersheim and Thompson were named to the 2022 NJAC Women's Basketball All-Conference team. 

Wickersheim was named NJAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and received NJAC Honorable Mention All-Conference. She led the team with 193 rebounds, averaging nine per game. She has 125 career blocks which is fourth all-time at Ramapo. In conference-only stats this season, she leads the NJAC with 10 rebounds per game. Weickersheim had posted eight double-doubles this season for the Roadrunners. 

Thompson was named NJAC Rookie of the Year and received NJAC Second Team All-Conference after leading the team this season in scoring, assists and steals. Thompson had a total of 306 points, averaging 15 per game while she posted 75 assists and 43 steals. Against NJAC-only competition, Thompson is eighth in scoring with 219 points and third in assists with 62.

This was the Roadrunners’ fifth appearance in the NJAC Women’s Basketball Tournament. They end their season 10-12. William Paterson will advance to the NJAC Tournament semifinals and play against The College of New Jersey on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m..

 

twaschek@ramapo.edu