Box Score

WAYNE, NJ -- BriAnna Lucas scored a game high 20 points to lead the host school to a 69-50 win over Union College in the fierst game of the William Paterson/Residence Inn Winter Classic Saturday afternoon at the Rec Center. The Pioneers, ranked 13th nationally, face Susquehanna in the Championship Game Sunday at 3 p.m. Union plays in the Consolation Game Sunday at 1 p.m. against New Paltz, which lost to Susquehanna, 73-55.

Elisa Brown added 13 points and five rebounds for the Panthers, who imporved to a perfect 12-0 on the season. 

Union (1-7) was led by Megan Clark, who had team highs of 16 points and 3ight rebounds. Rachel Titcomb had seven rebounds, all on the defensive end, and Lauren Mccormick and Rachel Beaulac scored seven points each. 

The Panthers shot 45% for the game while holding Union to a 33% shooting clip. The Dutchwomen did outrebound William Paterson, 36-30 but the Pioneers recorded 17 steals while forcing 26 turnovers.

Union had a 31-29 lead at halftime. But the Pioneers got hot early in the second half, with a 15-0 run in the first 5:45 of the second half. Lucas had seven of those points during the run. The Panthers led by 17 at 50-33 at 9:30, but the Dutchwomen pulled to within 10 with a run of 11-4 in 4:48. The run was capped by a three pointer by Leah Pepe. But the Pioneers pulled away and led by as much as 22 at 67-45 with 1:19 remaining in the contest.

After playing in Sunday's consolation contest, Union will play at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on January 6.