February 3, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men's College Basketball

Rider University 87, Siena College 77

            ALBANY, NY-- Sophomore guard Jerry Johnson (Lancaster, PA/J. P. McCaskey) scored 25 points, 20 in the second half, to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win at Siena Monday.  The win was the third in a row for Rider (9-11, 4-7 MAAC) and the fourth in the last five games.

Holding a 51-49 lead with 10:45 remaining, Rider out-scored Siena (13-8, 7-5 MAAC) 19-5, six by sophomore guard Robert Taylor (Philadelphia, PA/St. John Neumann), to take a 70-54 lead with 3:23 left.  Taylor finished with a career-high 23 points, 18 in the second half, making 11 of 15 foul shots.

Rider made 19 of 24 foul shots in the final four minutes of the game to preserve the victory. The 87 points is the most scored this year.

Trailing 36-31, Rider went on an 11-2 run, all 11 by Johnson, to take a 42-38 lead with 16:00 remaining.  Johnson made five three-pointers in the game.

Siena out-scored Rider 7-2 over the final 2:32 of the first half to take a 30-29 lead into the locker room at half time. Michael Haddix scored five of those seven and finished with 18 points.

Rider freshman Edwin Muniz (Passaic), named the MAAC Rookie of the Week earlier in the day, scored eight points in just 10 minutes of action in the first half due to foul trouble, and finished with 12 points before fouling out.  Senior Robert Reed (London, England) added six points and 10 rebounds.

            Rider travels to Saint Peter's Friday.

-RU-

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