Men's College Basketball
Rider University 62, Niagara University 61
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY- Maybe Rider needs to play more televised games. The Broncs defeated Niagara Sunday on the Madison Square Garden Network and are now 2-0 in televised games this year after going 7-3 on national TV during the 2008 season and winning two additional times on television last year. "Maybe we're going to have to pay to get on television more," said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey. "The kids love playing on TV. It gives you a little bit more energy. We've been fortunate in those televised games."
Sophomore Novar Gadson (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram) grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 5.0 seconds left to give Rider a come-from-behind Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win at Niagara Sunday afternoon. "In those situations a tip-in wins as many games as the actual basket," Dempsey said.
Trailing 60-53, Rider out-scored Niagara 9-1 over the final 6:00 of the game, six points by Gadson. Gadson finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Rider junior Mike Ringgold (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) led all scorers with 18 points. "Mike was the key to giving us a chance to win," Dempsey said. "In the first half we had nothing going except for Mike inside. Even though we were down 10 at half, if Mike wasn't so dominate in the post we would not have been within striking distance. He played real well and was the real key of the night."
For his efforts, Ringgold was named the MAAC TV Player of the Game.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak. The last time Rider won here at Niagara was during the 2001-02 season. "Either as an assistant coach or a head coach I've never been involved in a win here," Dempsey said. "To get a win up here feels really good."
Niagara (11-11, 4-6 MAAC) out-rebounded Rider (11-11, 4-6 MAAC) 41-30, including 24-11 in the first half.
Rider led 53-49 before Niagara went on an 11-0 run, five points by Austin Cooley, to take a 60-53 lead with 6:00 left to play. A sophomore guard, Cooley finished with a career-high 13 points and a career-high seven rebounds.
Trailing 40-29, Rider out-scored Niagara 16-3, five points by senior Ryan Thompson (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape), to take a 45-43 lead with 13:17 left to play, Rider's first lead since 2-0. Thompson finished with 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.
It was Thompson's number that was called at the end of the game. "We tried a clear-out for Ryan, he got by his guy, Novar's man had to help on defense, and Novar circled around and got to the glass for the tip in," Dempsey remembered. "Novar made a big play."
Holding a 16-10 lead, Niagara went on a 7-2 run, four points by Anthony Nelson, to take a 23-12 lead with 8:00 left in the first half, and the Purple Eagles led 35-25 at half time. Nelson finished with 11 points.
Junior Jhamar Youngblood (Elizabeth, N.J./St. Patrick's) finished with nine points and three assists before fouling out with 6:00 left to play
Holding a 7-6 lead, Niagara out-scored Rider 9-2, five points by Rob Garrison and four by Nelson, to take a 16-8 lead. Garrison finished with eight points. Demetrius Williamson led Niagara with 17 points.
Niagara was 11-17 from the foul line, while Rider was 4-8. The Broncs did not go to the foul line until 16:03 left in the game.
Niagara was picked to finish second in the MAAC this year and Rider was picked third. The two teams are currently tied for sixth place. "We're not happy with where we are at in the standings or the way we are playing," Dempsey said, "but we needed to start somewhere and hopefully this win is a big springboard for some future success."
Rider and Niagara have now met 30 times since the series began in 1991-92, with Rider winning 11. The home team won the split series last season, with Niagara winning by 14 here in Western New York and Rider winning by three points in Lawrenceville. In the last meeting Niagara defeated Rider in double overtime in the 2009 MAAC semifinals.
Rider defeated Saint Joseph's on the Comcast Sports Network earlier this year. The Broncs will play on TV again February 12 when Rider hosts Fairfield on ESPNU, February 15 at Saint Peter's (MSG) and February 26 when Rider hosts Siena on ESPNU.
Rider returns home to host Manhattan January 28. "It will be good to get back home," Dempsey said. "We've played 15 of our 22 games away from home and seven of our 10 MAAC games have been on the road, so we definitely need some home cooking."
The Manhattan game will not be televised, but at least it will be on the radio. Due to technical difficulties, the first half of Sunday's game was not on the radio, as Niagara led 35-25. The second half was on the air and Rider out-scored Niagara 37-26 in the final 20 minutes. Let's hope there are no technical difficulties Thursday.
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