Women's College Basketball
Loyola University Maryland 71, Rider University 57
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game
BALTIMORE, Md.--Despite 12 points each from freshman Emily Fazzini (Wayne, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and sophomore MyNeshia McKenzie (Springfield, Pa./Springfield (Delco)), the Rider University women's basketball team lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Loyola Saturday afternoon at Reitz Arena.
"It may sound strange but we are still a work in progress," said head coach Lynn Milligan. "With some of the injuries and roster changes, we're still working to find the identity that got us the first 10 wins."
Fazzini scored five of Rider's seven points to start the second half as the Broncs cut the 'Hound lead to eight (44-36) with 17:21 left in the game but that was as close as Rider would get.
Loyola opened the game on a 4-0 run, two points by Kara Marshall before senior Alyssa Parsons (Ivyland, Pa./Archbishop Wood) got Rider (10-13, 2-10 MAAC) on the board with a jumper three minutes into the game. Parsons had eight points, four assists and two steals in 27 minutes.
Marshall led the 'Hounds with 28 points, going four for four from three-point range and added four steals and two assists.
"She is one of the best freshmen in the MAAC, there is no doubt about that," said Milligan. "She got Loyola going early and carried them through the first half."
Parsons hit two free throws to bring Rider to within 6-4 3:54 into the contest and was four for four from the charity stripe. Rider was 16 of 17 from the free throw line in the game.
Trailing 6-4, Rider went on a 7-0 run, three points by junior Carleigh Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) as Rider went into the lead 11-6 with 14:44 left in the opening half. C. Brown finished with eight points, two assists and a steal in 24 minutes.
Loyola scored 19 of the next 25 points, 14 by Marshall as the 'Hounds retook the lead 25-17 with 9:03 left in the opening period.
McKenzie cut the 'Hound lead to six with a jumper before Loyola (10-13, 6-6 MAAC) scored the next eight, opening up a 37-23 lead with 3:20 left in the first half and the 'Hounds led 39-29 at the half.
Also for the 'Hounds, Katie Sheahin had 19 points on seven for 12 shooting and added seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Also for Rider, junior Caitlin Bopp (Baltimore, Md./Inst. of Notre Dame) was held to four points and eight rebounds. Bopp came into the contest averaging 11.6 points and 11.8 rebounds in five career games against Loyola.
"We wanted to get the ball into Caitlin and Loyola prevented that," Milligan said. "They left some of our players open on the outside and the shots just didn't fall. We put some points on the board today but you can't give up 71 and expect to win."
The 'Hounds out-shot Rider 48 percent to 35 percent and out-rebounded the Broncs 38-24, 12-7 on the offensive glass.
Loyola has won three in a row. Rider has lost eight straight.
Loyola leads the all-time series 30-9 and avenged a loss to Rider in Lawrenceville 67-61 in Alumni Gymnasium on January 9.
The Broncs are back in action on Friday against Canisius in a MAAC game at 7pm.
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