Women's College Basketball
Rider University 67, Hofstra University 54
LAWRENCEVILLE--Senior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) scored 23 points, all but four in the second half, to lead Rider to victory over Hofstra Thursday night. “We've worked very hard to establish a new identity for the program,” said head coach Lynn Milligan. “The kids have done everything we've asked them to do and have worked very hard to put the past behind them and create for themselves a bright future.”
The victory was Rider's second of the season. Last year Rider did not collect its second win until February 17, and in 2005-06 the second win of the season came on January 12.
“It all starts with defense,” said Henderson. “You may have a lull on offense but strong defense keeps you in the game and we were able to do that tonight.” The Broncs are allowing just under 53 points per game after allowing over 78 per game last season. “You have to hit big shots and play defense and if you do that, coach said you'll win games and she's right.”
Hofstra defeated Rider 85-52 last season in Hempstead, New York on its way to a quarter-final appearance in the WNIT.
“Our defensive pressure has made it a little easier on offense because we don't have to work as hard for every shot on every possession,” Henderson said. “When you shut down the other team and push the ball up the floor, it's always a little easier to score.”
The 13 point winning margin is the largest for Rider (2-1) since defeating Saint Peter's by 14 points on January 8, 2005, 78-64.
The Broncs jumped out to an 18-4 lead in the first 12:30 of the game, with four different Broncs contributing four points each, and Rider never trailed in the contest.
Hofstra's 6-4 center Jess Fuller scored four points in a 10-1 Hofstra (1-1) run to cut the lead to 19-14. Fuller finished with eight points off the bench. “We knew we would be out-sized tonight,” Milligan said. “We tried to combat that by going small and go at a little of a quicker pace.”
Sophomore Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy, N.J./Hun School) scored a career-high 15 points. Sepulveda made a three-point field goal at the half time buzzer to give Rider a 25-17 lead at intermission. Sepulveda had 10 first half points and also had a career-high four steals as Rider caused 17 turnovers.
“It started on the defensive end and we kept up our tempo,” said Sepulveda who also had three assists in 34 minutes of action. “We didn't try to play at Hofstra's faster pace. We just played major defense.”
Rider held Hofstra to four points on 2-20 shooting opening up an 18-4 lead to start the game with the Pride committing seven turnovers in the first 13 minutes of the game.
“Amanda is the type of kid who just works hard,” Milligan said. “We needed Amanda to run the offense and keep us in our flow. More so than the 15 points, Amanda controlled the pace of the game for us and the big shots she hit were a bonus.”
Junior Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, Md./West Lake) grabbed 12 of her 14 rebounds in the first half, and finished with 13 points, the fourth ?double-double' of her career and the second this season. “We've focused on our defensive intensity and our rebounding,” said Milligan. “I think we've out worked all three of our opponents this season and defense and rebounding will win you games.”
After three games Parker has already compiled 41 rebounds. “Shaunice is like the energizer bunny,” Milligan said. “She has a nose for the ball and if she doesn't do something fundamentally correct, she makes up for it with her athleticism.”
The MAAC Player of the Week, Henderson turned her ankle and played just 13 minutes in the first half.
Rider out-scored Hofstra 8-2 in the first five minutes of the second half, six by Henderson, to take a 33-19 lead.
“Janele is everything you want in a senior,” Milligan added. “She is so determined to change this program before she leaves and she is determined to leave her mark on the program. She is doing everything we want and more. We want to be the type of team that you can't guard just one person and when they [Hofstra] were double-teaming Janele, that opened up other options and the other players stepped up for us. Everyone has a role and everyone is living up to that so far.”
“Janele has always been a scorer,” said Sepulveda. “If she can keep this up, we are going to have a good future. Janele drawing double-teams opens things up for the rest of us and when that happens we become a team where you can't stop all five at one time.”
Freshman Shannon Ferguson (Fort Washington, Pa./Upper Dublin) made her first collegiate start and compiled a career-high 11 rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
“If I couldn't get the rebound, I wanted to do everything I could to help Rider get it,” said Ferguson. “I tried to box out and get in there and crash the boards and just be everywhere I could. My teammates took all of the pressure off me tonight and everyone was supportive and that allowed me to just play. They all told me that all I had to do was work hard and that's what I did.”
The Broncs made 16 of 19 foul shots.
“A goal of ours is to not lose at home and for that to happen, we need that sixth man,” said Milligan alluding to the over 700 fans at tonight's game. “If we continue to play good basketball at home, the fans will continue to come out. Our players thrive on having the fans, friends and family watching them play and when you win, you hope people come back. It's the Broncs' Zoo and it is a tough place to play and our fans are a key part of that.”
Rider travels to Navy on Sunday for a 2:00pm non-conference game. “We are excited about the second win but that hurdle is over,” Milligan said. “The next hurdle is to prove we can win on the road and we have some adjustments that we are going to do going into the game in Annapolis. Our next goal is to start winning on the road.”
“I'm really excited for Sunday's game,” said Ferguson. “As long as we play defense, then we can do great things.”
Already equaling the win total from last year six days into the season, more great things are yet to come.
-RU-
