Men's College Basketball

Rider University 62, Morgan State University 48

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ— Having won three of their last four games and possessing an undefeated record at home this year, the Rider Broncs came into Thursday night's game loaded for bear.

We have come to know many types of bears over the years. There was Rudyard Kipling's Baloo, Mowgli's mentor in the jungle, Yogi and Boo Boo Bear from Jellystone Park, and of course there was Winnie-the-Pooh.

On Thursday night, the Morgan State Bears most resembled Gentle Ben, as Rider tamed its opponent to go to 4-0 at home and to .500 for the season.

“It was a good win for us and I'm happy to be back at .500,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett.

“I'll take a 6-6 record with the schedule we've had,” Baggett said, having played teams from the Big XII, the BIG 10 and the ACC this year, including a pair of top 20 teams. “There are a couple games I'd like to have back but overall I'm happy with being at .500 right now.”

Helping get Rider back to .500 Thursday night was junior Teddy Okereafor (London, England/VCU), who scored 21 points, making eight of 11 shots from the field, while adding four rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists.

Holding a 29-28 lead, Rider out-scored Morgan State (2-9) 15-2, eight points by senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.) to take a 44-30 lead with 12:55 remaining. “Once we did a better job of taking care of the ball, pressing and getting the ball into 'Lopes', that is when we started to separate from those guys,” Baggett said.

Lopez finished with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. “Our defense and our press in the second half was the difference,” said Lopez, who leads the MAAC with a .654 field goal percentage and was five of 10 from the field Thursday night, including a pair of athletic dunks early in the second half. “I struggled making shots tonight, credit their big men.”

Lopez' 'double-double' was the first of the season for a Bronc.  “I think I should be rebounding more,” said Lopez, who came into the game averaging 4.8 rebounds per game, “so hopefully there will be more 'double-doubles' in the future.”

Rider out-scored MSU 33-21 in the second half.  “The second half we came out focused and we got after them, as far as the press,” Baggett said.

Morgan State used a 14-5 run, 11 points by Cedric Blossom, to tie the score at 22-22, and Rider led 29-27 at the half on 15 points by Okereafor.  Blossom led MSU with 21 points in the game.

Rider jumped out to a 13-6 lead, six points by Okereafor.

Also for Rider, sophomore Jimmie Taylor (Branford, Fla./Suwannee) compiled 13 points and matched his career-high with seven rebounds.

The Broncs travel to Wagner on December 29 for the final non-conference game of the regular season, and a chance to be over .500 for the first time since losing to Kansas November 24.  “We feel good about ourselves right now,” Lopez said, “but with that being said, we still have a lot to get better at.”

Sounds like a New Year's Resolution.

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