Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (5-15, 2-11 NJAC) held a one-point lead after three periods but succumbed to a fourth quarter rally by William Paterson (11-9, 7-6 NJAC), 53-46 on Saturday afternoon. April Peterson (Lafayette/High Point) topped the Ospreys with team-highs of 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
The teams traded baskets at the beginning of the game with the visitors gaining a three-point advantage at 13-10 after one period of play. Stockton tallied the first basket of the game before the Pioneers rattled off five straight points to garner the lead. Lajerah Wright (Atlantic City/Atlantic City) led the Ospreys with five points during the frame.
 
Stockton's offense took awhile to get untracked in quarter number two. After falling behind 19-14, Stockton rallied with a 6-2 run to knot the game at 21-21. Neither team would score during the final two minutes as the squads went to the break tied at 21 each. Peterson scored five of her points during the period to keep Stockton in the game.
 
The Ospreys fell behind again to start the third stanza, trailing by four points on two occasions before rallying to finish off the period. Down 29-25 with 5:41 left in the third quarter, Stockton ran off on an 11-6 spurt to take a slim 36-35 lead heading to the final period. Peterson again led the team with seven points in the frame.
 
The visitors took control of the game right at the start of the final period, scoring the first seven points of the quarter and never looked back. Stockton made one last charge behind Peterson with a bucket, and Natalie Miller (New Milford/New Milford) with a three pointer, got Stockton to within two at 42-40 with 4:09 remaining in regulation.
 
But that was as close as the Ospreys would come as the Pioneers out scored Stockton 11-6 to end the game and set the final score at 53-46.
 
Peterson, who was the only Osprey in double figures, registered her seventh double-double of the season. Wright added nine points and two steals with freshman Emily Donzanti (Toms River/Toms River South) dishing a game-high four assists and scoring six points.
 
Julie Rovito scored a game-high 24 points for the Pioneers with teammate Brianna Brooks pulling down 12 rebounds. William Paterson held a 52-44 advantage on the glass with 26 rebounds coming on the offensive end.
 
Stockton's next game will be a road game against Rowan University on Wednesday night. Game time is set for 6 pm.