Women's College Basketball
Manhattan College 82, Rider University 49
LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite 10 points from sophomore Tammy Meyers (Willingboro), the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Manhattan Sunday afternoon. “Our effort wasn't there,” said head coach Lynn Milligan. “Our competitiveness wasn't there and I give Manhattan credit, they are a good team and shot the ball very well today.”
Meyers also had four assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
The Jaspers shot 54 percent from the field and made 17 of 18 free throws in the game.
Manhattan (13-9, 8-3 MAAC), opened the game on a 19-9 run in the first eight minutes and never looked back.
Leading 23-13, the Jaspers went on an 8-0 run opening up a 31-13 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half and Manhattan led 43-22 at the half.
With the score 47-30 Jaspers early in the second half, Manhattan went on a 24-2 run to put the game away.
“Manhattan came ready to play,” coach Milligan added. “We did not. It was a 100 percent lack of effort on our part.”
Trailing by 45, Rider (6-16, 1-10 MAAC) went on a 13-0 run, four points each by freshman Cintella Spotwood (Trenton/Trenton Central) and sophomore Melissa Kowalczyk (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) to cut the Jasper lead to 80-48 with just under one minute remaining. Spotwood finished with five points and seven rebounds with Kowalczyk finishing with four points off the bench for the Broncs.
“We talk about that all the time with the players coming off the bench that they have to be ready to play, no matter the situation,” said Milligan. “Melissa took advantage of that and seized the opportunity and sparked the run at the end of the game.”
Manhattan has won two straight while the Broncs have lost two in a row.
The Jaspers lead the all-time series against Rider 20-6 and have defeated the Broncs seven straight times.
Rider travels to Jersey City, New Jersey on Friday night to face Saint Peter's in a MAAC game.
“We want to take a step forward everyday,” Milligan said. “We did not do that today. Our shots weren't falling and that affected us on the defensive end and that rattled us. The wheels came off today and we have to work hard to get them back on.”
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