Women's College Basketball
Fairfield University 69, Rider University 59
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game
LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite 16 points from senior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) and 15 points from sophomore Tammy Meyers (Willingboro), the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to Fairfield Friday night. “We are close,” said head coach Lynn Milligan. “It is a little frustrating that our record does not show it and the fans that are supporting us don't get to see it on a daily basis. We are close to turning this thing around.”
Meyers added five rebounds, four assists and three steals in 37 minutes of play.
Trailing by 15 with five minutes left in the game, Rider (5-14, 0-8 MAAC) used an 8-1 run, six points by junior Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, Md./West Lake) to cut Fairfield's lead to eight with two minutes left but the 65-57 score was as close as the Broncs could get. Parker finished with eight points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
“I believe, honestly that we are not an 0-8 MAAC team,” Milligan added. “The reality of it is that's where we are but that's not who we are. We are having some doubts about what we are doing and that hesitation is causing our problems on the offensive end. I told them at halftime that they just need to go out and play, not think, just play and when we do that, we are a much better team.”
The Stags jumped out to a 6-0 lead and on the strength of a 15-3 run, led 21-8 eight minutes into the game.
The teams traded baskets for the rest of the half and Fairfield (14-5, 4-4 MAAC) led 36-24 at the break.
The Stags opened up their largest lead of the game two minutes into the second half with a 5-0 run, making the score 43-24.
The Broncs scored 34 of the next 49 points to cut the Stag lead to nine (58-49) with just under six minutes remaining before Fairfield rebounded with a 6-0 run.
Also for Rider, sophomore Stephanie Wisniewski (Levittown, Pa./Villa Joseph Marie) added 11 points and five rebounds, four on the offensive glass, two steals and a block in 25 minutes.
“We need an inside presence playing in this conference,” said Milligan about the play of Wisniewski. “We need somebody to score on the block and take the scoring pressure off the guards. A healthy Wisniewski gives us that inside game to help them out.”
“It seems to be something different every night,” Milligan added. “If you get beat on the boards, you focus on that, then the offense struggles. When you focus on the offensive, then we struggle on the defensive end. We just haven't put it together in the conference games.”
After being out-rebounded by 19 against the Stags a week ago in a 59-43 loss, the Broncs only lost the battle of the boards by two but committed 23 turnovers.
The Broncs have lost two in a row by 10 points and 12 of the 14 losses have been by 10 or less.
Rider has lost seven straight and its last 11 conference games dating back to last season.
The Stags have won four straight.
Fairfield was led by a ?double-double' from junior Baendu Lowenthal (Riverside) who scored 15 points with 10 rebounds. Fellow Riverside alum senior Sabra Wrice also had 15 points adding four steals and three assists.
The Stags lead the overall series against Rider 23-2 and have won seven straight and 18 of the last 19 against the Broncs.
Rider travels to Loudonville, New York for a MAAC game at 2:00pm on Sunday.
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