Wayne, NJ (1/26/05) - Freshman forward Sheakia Jackson scored a game- and career-high 24 points as William Paterson knocked off backyard and New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Montclair State, 68-64, Wednesday evening at the Rec Center.

Jackson played 24 minutes off the bench and went 8-for-12 from the floor, as well as 8-for-12 at the line, as her point total surpassed her previous high of 19 set in a 74-49 win over Rowan on Jan. 8. She also grabbed nine rebounds.

The Pioneers (9-8, 6-4 NJAC) forced 33 Red Hawk (9-7, 4-5 NJAC) miscues and outscored their rivals in points off turnovers, 30-16. In addition, they went 25-for-38 at the charity stripe while MSU hit 13 of its 23 attempts.

Montclair State led 33-30 at halftime and was up 42-36 early in the second half before William Paterson slowly chipped away behind Jackson and several other solid contributions. The Pioneers took the lead for good, 58-57, on a free throw by sophomore guard Luci Custis with 5:44 remaining.

The Red Hawks pulled within 60-59 on two free throws by freshman guard JESSICA HORAN with 4:05 to go before a 3-pointer by William Paterson freshman guard Michelle Pellichero staked the victors to a 63-59 advantage with 3:44 left. Custis and sophomore guard Alima Williams each had 11 points and combined for 11 rebounds in the William Paterson victory.

Horan paced four Montclair State players in double figures with 13 points, while freshman guard CYNTHIA WARRINGTON and freshman forward MICHELLE MADEJ each dropped in 11. Warrington also had five assists and three steals, while Madej came up with seven rebounds as the Red Hawks owned a 41-26 rebounding edge. Junior forward AMANDA MULLANEY chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

William Paterson returns to action Saturday, Jan. 29, when it travels to Richard Stockton for a New Jersey Athletic Conference game beginning at 6 p.m. Montclair State returns to action the same day at 5 p.m. at Rutgers-Newark.