Women's College Basketball
Seton Hall University 66, Rider University 47
Preseason WNIT

SOUTH ORANGE—Despite 16 points from red-shirt sophomore Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic), the Rider University women's basketball team lost 66-47 at Seton Hall University on Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Preseason WNIT.

“We are a good passing team and a good executing team and we were a step off today,” said head coach Lynn Milligan who began her eighth season at Rider.  “It seemed like we were a step late to everything.  We'll learn from it and it is a tough lesson to learn.”

Perkins also had five rebounds in the game, four on the offensive glass.

The game at Walsh Gymnasium was the 2014-15 season opener for both squads.

Perkins, who sat out last season as a transfer from St. Francis (Pa.), opened the scoring with a layup 1:03 into the game and red-shirt junior Emily Fazzini (Wayne, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) broke a 2-2 tie with 17:53 left in the opening half.

“You saw a glimpse of what Robin is capable of,” Milligan said.  “She didn't play much as a freshman at St. Francis (Pa.) and didn't play a game at all last season as a transfer so she did pretty well without almost two seasons of game action.  She had some nice finishes and some 'and ones'.  There are bright days ahead for her.”

Fazzini, who missed the final 28 games of last season due to injury, finished with two points in her first game action since November 19, 2013, logging 20 minutes.  Fazzini added two rebounds and two assists.

Seton Hall (1-0) responded with an 8-0 run as the Pirates opened up a 10-4 lead with 15:21 remaining in the opening period.

After another Perkins layup, the Pirates used a 10-0 run to extend the lead to 20-6 lead with 10:24 left in the first period.

Seton Hall was led by 19 points from junior Tabatha Richardson-Smith.

Rider (0-1) was held scoreless for over seven minutes before basket by senior Marritta Gillcrease (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Traditional) cut the Pirate lead to 20-8 with 7:09 left in period one.  Gillcrease finished with eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes.

The Pirates ended the half on an 18-6 run and Seton Hall led 38-14 at intermission as Rider committed 21 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.  The Broncs had 31 turnovers in the game, the most since committing 33 at Lehigh University on December 29, 2010.

“It was very uncharacteristic for us to have that many turnovers and miss that many free throws,” said Milligan who saw Rider shoot 44 percent from the line (11-25).  “I thought we played better in the second half but the turnovers and free throws and losing by 19, it was frustrating.”

Rider got to within 19 points with 37.3 seconds left in the game on a layup by freshman Jessie Wallace (Reading, Pa./Wilson) but the Broncs could get no closer.  Wallace finished with two points and six rebounds in her collegiate debut.

The Broncs out-scored Seton Hall 33-28 in the second half.

Also for the Broncs, sophomore Julia Duggan (Marmora/Ocean City) finished with two points and a game-high 12 rebounds, along with two assists and a block.  The preseason Third Team All-MAAC selection played 29 minutes.

Rider held a 44-35 advantage on the glass, including 12 offensive rebounds.

Rider went 0-8 from three-point range, the first time since February 26, 2012 that the Broncs went without a successful three-point field goal.

Seton Hall improved to 9-0 all-time against Rider.  The teams last met on November 10, 2013 when the Pirates used a late 9-0 run to escape with an 86-75 victory.

“I would be shocked if Seton Hall didn't win over 20 games,” Milligan added.  “They are a very veteran, strong and talented team that knows how to play.  They did a great job and you have to give their defense a lot of credit for putting us back on our heels.”

Rider will play two consolation games in the Preseason WNIT next weekend with the dates, opponents and location to be announced on Sunday evening.

The home opener for the Broncs is November 25 at 7pm against Lafayette in Alumni Gymnasium.

-RU-