Women's College Basketball
Fairleigh Dickinson University 82, Rider University 77
LAWRENCEVILLE--C gets an A; D gets an F. Despite a career-high 23 points from junior Cintella Spotwood (Trenton/Trenton Central) and 20 points from senior Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy/Hun), the Rider University women's basketball team lost a non-conference game against Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday afternoon in Alumni Gym.
Trailing 77-62 with 4:14 remaining in the game, Rider (1-3) used a 15-3 run, seven points by Spotwood to get within three (80-77) with 40 seconds remaining.
"'C' and Amanda both did a great job," said head coach Lynn Milligan. "They both stepped up and made shots when we needed them. Unfortunately, we didn't defend as a team."
After holding Monmouth to 41 points the entire game Thursday night, the Bronc defense was torched for 47 second half points by FDU, and allowed 82 in the game.
"We weren't communicating well on the floor," said Spotwood who has now set career-highs in points two games in a row. "We managed to pick up our intensity at the end but by then it was too late. I'm disappointed that we can score 77 points and lose. We didn't do our job on the defensive end and that's what cost us."
As rough as the defensive effort was, Rider held FDU without a field goal for the final 4:38 of the game.
"Cintella has really worked hard to bring her game up to this level," Milligan said. "It was just a matter of time for her. She is the X factor, our third big wheel and she is playing well on both ends of the floor. She is difficult to guard, hits the outside shot and rebounds as well." Spotwood had six rebounds in the game, three on the offensive glass.
"Amanda controlled the pace of the game for us," Milligan added. "We struggled a little against their 1-3-1 and got some looks that were a little too quick for us but overall, her floor game was pretty solid."
After a Rider time out, FDU worked the clock down and took a shot with eight seconds left in the game as the shot clock buzzer went off with the Knights collecting the offensive rebound and FDU hit two free throws with four seconds remaining for the final score. Each team finished with 14 offensive rebounds.
"Our defense communication broke down and that is something we work on," Milligan said. "We are going to have to tighten that up if we are going to win some ball games. If you give up 41, then give up 82, obviously there is a communication problem."
Trailing 16-15 with 11:56 left in the first half, the Broncs used a 10-2 run, four free throws by Spotwood to take a 25-18 lead with 8:55 left in the period. Spotwood finished a perfect eight for eight from the line.
Leading 27-21, Rider scored 10 of the next 14 points, five points by senior Tammy Meyers (Willingboro) to go up 37-25 with 4:55 left in the first half. Meyers finished with 12 points before fouling out.
"Tammy fouling out affects the rotation," Milligan said. "There were some plays that we couldn't run but a positive is that the players on the floor at the end got us back in the game and gave us a chance to win it. Carleigh (Brown), Caitlin (Bopp) and Dior (Brown) gave us the opportunity to get the win. Our three freshman did a good job fighting to bring us back into the game. We didn't defend well; that was our issue the entire game."
C. Brown had five points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 24 minutes, Bopp had four points and five rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench with D. Brown compiling six points and six boards with two assists in 18 minutes.
FDU responded with a 10-0 run to cut the Bronc lead to 37-35 with 41 seconds left in the opening period before a Sepulveda three with three seconds left gave Rider a 40-35 lead at intermission.
Trailing 44-37 with 18:32 left in the second half, FDU took the lead with a 14-5 run, 51-49 with 15:06 left, the sixth and final lead change of the game.
After Rider cut the deficit to five, FDU used a 10-0 run to extend its lead to 15 with 6:05 left in the game.
Rider leads the all-time series against FDU 12-8 and had won 11 in a row over their former Northeast Conference rivals. Last season, the Broncs won 65-64 over FDU in Hackensack.
The Broncs travel to Fort Myers, Florida for the FGCU Classic, taking on Akron November 27 and the host Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast November 28.
"It will be an exciting trip for us," Milligan said. "They are two solid teams. Akron plays a style that we don't see much and FGCU is coming off a 25 win season so it will be a challenge and we will have to tighten things up on the defensive end."
-RU-
