Sit in the stands at a home game in the Sports and Recreation Center, and you’ll quickly spot what’s fueling the William Paterson women’s basketball team: the bench rising in unison after a defensive stop, the pep band striking up the WP Spirit Song, teammates sprinting off the floor to celebrate the next group subbing in.

The wins help, of course. So do the consecutive weeks in the national rankings.

But what’s happening with the Pioneers this season goes deeper than a number beside their name.

Heading into Wednesday’s home matchup against Montclair State, William Paterson sits at 17-1 overall and 11-0 in conference play, riding one of the most dominant stretches in program history. The Pioneers are ranked No. 18 in the nation in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll. Yet inside the locker room, the focus remains firmly on what comes next.

For head coach Erin Monahan, now in her 33rd of many highly successful seasons at William Paterson, striking the balance between confidence and perspective is essential.

“They’re focused. They’re going game by game,” Monahan says of her team. “They’re proud of what they’ve accomplished, but they’re also very aware that one mistake can change everything.”

That awareness has shaped a team that plays with urgency – and for each other – through and through.

Defense First, Always Together

If there’s one identity marker that defines the Pioneers, it’s defense. William Paterson ranks among the national leaders in scoring defense, allowing just over 50 points per game while forcing turnovers at an elite rate.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Monahan points to trust, and genuine affection, as the foundation of the team’s defensive identity.

“They are a tight-knit group,” she says. “They love each other, they love the game, and they’re great at being there for each other when things don’t go right.”

Senior guard Renee Wells, one of the team’s three captains and one of the top scorers in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), averaging a team-best 17.3 points per game, is a major source of that togetherness. Known primarily for her offensive firepower, Wells made a conscious shift this season toward becoming a more complete player and a stronger leader.

Despite playing through an upper body injury, Wells embraced Monahan’s challenge of elevating those around her – averaging 2.8 assists per game, drawing charges, and holding teammates accountable on and off the floor.

“I’ve been playing basketball for a while, and I’ve had different leaders throughout the way who have all shaped me to be the leader I want to be: a leader who is respected but not necessarily feared,” Wells says. “Our team is very good, and I know we can win this NJAC championship. I want to bring my teammates along and show them some things they may not know about the tournament. And I want them to know how good we can be.”

Senior forward Patty Walsh, a fellow co-captain who averages 10.8 points, a team-high 6.6 rebounds and a conference-best 1.8 blocks per game, brings a different kind of leadership – one rooted in gratitude and connection. Walsh makes it a point to recognize the people who help create the atmosphere surrounding the team’s success.

“I just think it’s super important,” Walsh says of gratitude. “We put in a lot of effort – early mornings and late nights – but there are people behind the scenes doing the same thing in different ways.”

Walsh points to fellow students – Brave New Radio sports play-by-play reporter Kellie Owens ’26 and color commentator Jason Hook ’28– who made the two-hour drive to and from the Pioneers’ game at Stockton. She also credits WP sports information director Matt Tedino for his excitement-building content on the Rec Center’s new video board, and pep band director John Maiello ’86, MM ’08 for bringing constant energy from the stands.

“It doesn’t take much out of me to be appreciative of people who don’t necessarily get recognized,” Walsh says.

“It’s not just about us,” Monahan adds. “It’s school spirit, and my team does a fabulous job with that.”

Junior guard and co-captain Mattison Chiera, who averages 9.1 points and 3.1 assists per outing, anchors the group with consistency and toughness, doing the quiet work that wins games – from career-high rebounding efforts to lockdown defense and heavy minutes against top conference opponents.

“I feel like we all have a common goal of wanting to win,” Chiera says. “We put our pride and our own stats to the side, and whatever the team needs, we do it. If someone isn’t having a good game or practice, we’ll pick it up for them.”

Commitment Off the Court

What makes this season especially meaningful is how the Pioneers are succeeding off the court as well. The team boasts a 3.679 GPA, a point of pride that matters deeply to Monahan.

“They’re not just doing good things on the court, but off the court. I’m so proud of them,” she says.

While many students were away during winter break, the Pioneers remained on campus for practices and games. On the first day of spring semester classes last week, Monahan offered the team a day off.

“They didn’t want it,” she says. “They wanted to be together, and they wanted to work.”

That mindset – choosing effort, choosing accountability, choosing each other – has defined the season as much as any win.

Wednesday night’s home game against Montclair State offers another opportunity, not just to win, but to showcase what Pioneer basketball represents.

“They’re a really fun group to watch,” Monahan says, encouraging the campus community to attend.

“It’s important to know these kids who are sitting in your class every day are also wearing our school name on their jerseys,” Monahan adds. “It’s not about their last name; it’s about William Paterson University and the Pioneers and what we represent out there.”

“This is a great school,” Wells says. “To be able to wear its name every Wednesday and Saturday night, that means everything. The school does everything for us, so it feels great to do this for them.”