United States Naval Academy 71, Rider University 64
LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite 15 points by senior Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, Md./West Lake) and 14 points by junior Tammy Meyers (Willingboro), the Broncs lost to Navy Friday night. “Shaunice has stepped up as a senior and wants to leave the program in better shape than she found it,” said head coach Lynn Milligan. “She played very well and has played well over the past several games.”
Parker had three ?double-double' efforts coming into tonight's game and leads the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with an 8.6 rebounds per game average.
Trailing 60-50, Rider (2-6) went on a 9-2 run, four points by junior Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy/Hun), to cut the lead to 62-59 with 2:39 left to play, but that was as close as the Broncs could get. Sepulveda finished with seven points.
“Tonight was frustrating,” said Milligan. “We had a long lay off between games and we had some really good practices. We were ready to go. We had a good break and tonight was a winnable game. It is a credit to how hard they work as a team that every possession matters and at the same time, it is so important to execute when every possession matters.”
With the score tied at 42-42, Navy (5-7) out-scored Rider 10-2, five points each by Angela Myers and Kristin Bowen, to take a 52-44 lead with 9:12 remaining. Myers finished with 13 points, while Bowen scored 14 points off the bench.
“It comes down to a couple of breakdowns that cost us,” Milligan said. “Three, four times a games, we are having total mental lapses and since we are competitive and in tight games, each possession matters and that's what we are trying to overcome.”
Rider led 28-23 before Navy's Whitney Davidson made a pair of three-point field goals to give the Mids a 29-28 lead. Davidson finished with 15 points.
A pair of free throws by Meyers gave Rider a 30-28 lead at half time.
Trailing 16-10, Rider went on a 13-3 run, six points by freshman Alyssa Parsons (Philadelphia, Pa/Archbishop Wood) on a pair of three pointers, to take a 23-19 lead with 5:00 left in the first half.
Rider led 10-5 before Navy went on an 11-0 run, six points by 6'3” center Cassie Consedine on a pair of three-pointers, to take a 16-10 lead mid-way through the first half. Consedine finished with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds.
“We knew exactly what Cassie was going to do,” Milligan added. “She is a very talented player and the first few times, we defended her well and after that, we didn't close the space enough.”
Both teams had 38 rebounds. Meyers had nine for Rider while junior Ashley Anderson (East Orange) added eight rebounds and seven points in 18 minutes off the bench. Meyers also added five assists.
“We have to limit our mental mistakes,” said Milligan. “We have to change that little bit of doubt that they have into a belief that they will win the game, not may win the game, will win it.”
The Broncs committed 21 turnovers.
The loss extended Rider's losing streak to five games. Rider's last win was November 21, an overtime victory at FDU.
Navy defeated Rider last year in Annapolis in the only other meeting between these two teams.
Rider travels to La Salle Sunday afternoon. “La Salle is similar to Navy with quick scrappy guards,” Milligan added. “They are a little small (in size) but like Navy, can shoot the three very well."
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