Women's College Basketball
Towson University 74, Rider University 68
LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite 21 points from senior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin), the Broncs lost to Towson Sunday afternoon. “We competed with team that beat us badly last year,” said head coach Lynn Milligan. “It's now closing that six to eight point gap and turning a close game into a win. Two or three possessions are costing us right now and each game that we've lost has been by between six to eight points.”
Rider (3-4) lost by 34 points at Towson (76-42) last year.
Henderson also added four rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes of action, posting her third 20 plus point effort in seven games this season.
“Janele struggled in the first half but kept battling,” said Milligan. “Teams have been keying on her and the last two games, she has done a better job of just letting the game come to her. She calmed herself down in the second half and found her shots and also forced Towson to a box and one late in the game which forced us to have someone else try to beat them.” Fourteen of Henderson's points came in the second half.
Towson (3-2) was led by Shanae Baker-Brice, who compiled 21 points and six assists, including 13 points in the final six minutes.
Rider led 65-64 before Towson went on an 8-0 run, making six of seven foul shots, to take a 72-65 lead with 20 seconds remaining. That was the 11th and final lead change of the game.
“You are always frustrated when you lose a game,” said Henderson. “But the things that we didn't do well today are things that we can fix. We are getting used to close game situations and we need to finish better at the end of the games. We just have to stay within the system and rely on a strong defensive effort.”
Rider trailed 53-46 before going on a 10-1 run, using a three-point field goal by freshman Cintella Spotwood (Trenton/Trenton Central) to tie the score at 54-54, and Rider led 56-54 with 7:30 remaining. Spotwood finished with 10 points and four offensive rebounds.
“Cintella works hard everyday,” said Milligan. “Whether it is game day or in practice, she battles on the boards. Offensive rebounding is one of the best parts of her game and she is also not afraid to shoot the ball. She is playing better and better for us.”
Rider led 46-44 before Towson out-scored Rider 9-0, six points by Halena Snowden, to take a 53-46 lead with 9:0 left to play. Snowden finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
Rider led 39-32 before a 10-2 Towson run gave the Tigers a 42-41 lead with 13:15 left in the second half.
Trailing 24-22, Rider went on a 13-4 run, seven points by Spotwood, to take a 35-28 lead, and the Broncs led 35-32 at the half.
Rider junior Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, Md./West Lake) added 12 points and seven rebounds in a career-high 39 minutes of action.
“Rebounding and defense is what we are building the program on,” Milligan added. “Looking at the stat sheet, we caused 20 turnovers but had 20 ourselves. We got 17 offensive rebounds but gave up 16. That six to eight point gap is in those numbers. One let down on a box out, one let down on transition defense, and you have that gap. We have to do a better job of defensive and rebounding, especially on our home floor. If you score 68 points, you should win the game. We just can't give up 74.”
Rider jumped out to a 15-7 lead in the first five minutes of the game, seven points by sophomore Tammy Myers (Willingboro), who finished with nine points.
Senior Kelli Sawyer (Philadelphia, Pa./Friends Select) had five points, seven assists and four rebounds for the Broncs.
The loss was Rider's first (3-1) at home under Coach Milligan.
The win ended Towson's two-game losing streak and the loss was the second in a row for Rider. The Tigers now lead the all-time series 15-8 and have won the last three in the series. The last time Towson won at Rider was on January 13, 1990 by a score of 78-74.
Rider will now begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, hosting Canisius Friday evening and Niagara Sunday afternoon. “We are excited to open the MAAC season at home,” Milligan said. “We are picked for 10th in the MAAC and feel that we have some things to prove to the rest of the conference.”
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