Women's College Basketball
Rider University 85, Iona College 81 (o.t.)
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.—Sophomore Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic) scored a career-high 27 points, 11 in overtime as the Rider University women's basketball team won its second game in a row, defeating Iona College in overtime, 85-81 on Sunday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

“This was a great ball game,” said head coach Lynn Milligan.  “I know we gave up 81 points but what a great defensive effort.”

“That game was fun to play in,” said Perkins who was 11-17 from the field.  “Knocking down shots like that, it's a good feeling.”

The game had 21 ties and 17 lead changes.

Tied 70-70, Perkins gave Rider (5-13, 2-6 MAAC) a two-point lead with a layup just three seconds into the overtime period.

After the Gaels tied the score at 72, Perkins hit a jumper a minute into the extra session to give the Broncs a two-point lead before Damika Martinez tied the score at 74-74 with 3:45 left.

Martinez finished with 41 points, playing all 45 minutes and she had nine of Iona's 11 points in the overtime period.

Rider responded with a 4-0 run, two points each by senior Marritta Gillcrease (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Traditional) and junior Manon Pellet (Marseille, France) as the Broncs took a 78-74 lead with 2:15 left in the contest.  Gillcrease finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 35 minutes of play with Pellet finishing with four points, three rebounds and a career-high nine assists.

“Manon was unsung today, and did a great job running the offense,” Milligan said.

After two free throws by Martinez, Perkins hit her second three-pointer of the game to push the Bronc lead to 81-76 with 1:46 left in the overtime period, Rider's largest lead of the contest.

Two more free throws by Martinez were matched by another jumper from Perkins and Rider led 83-78 with 1:09 left.  Perkins had 21 points after halftime and 11 of Rider's 15 points in the overtime period, including a jumper with 47 seconds left that again gave the Broncs a five point lead.

“Robin in overtime was HUGE,” Milligan said.  “Sometimes it takes time for her to find her flow and she made some big time shots.  All the way around we had a solid ball game at both ends of the floor.”

Tied 48-48 with 14:16 left in the second half, Rider scored eight of the next 11 points to take a 58-53 lead with 10:56 left in regulation, six points by sophomore Julia Duggan (Marmora/Ocean City).  Duggan finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of play.

Rider had 28 assists on 37 made field goals in the game, including 23 assists on its first 26 made field goals.

“Offensively, we were patient and shared the ball,” Milligan said.  “The players bought into the offensive game plan hook, line and sinker.  We were disciplined enough to make that next pass because of some of the looks we were getting.”

“We moved the ball well and my teammates found me for the shots,” Perkins said.  “But everyone played well; it wasn't just my points, we put four players in double-digits.  It was a team effort with everyone knocking down shots.  That's really what it came down to.”

Trailing 58-53, Iona (9-8, 6-2 MAAC) went on a 5-0 run, tying the score 58-58 with 7:49 left.

Neither team could gain more than a two point advantage for the rest of regulation and Perkins made the second of two free throws with 26.6 seconds left in the second half to force overtime as Iona committed an offensive foul and the Broncs had a field goal chance that came after the buzzer.

Iona had 26 attempts from the free throw line, making 20 with Rider going 6-10 from the charity stripe.

The opening half was a back and forth battle that featured 12 lead changes and seven ties.

Trailing 6-5, Rider scored five in a row, two points each by Duggan and Gillcrease as the Broncs went back into the lead 10-6 with 16:39 left in the opening half.

Rider took a 20-19 lead on a three-point play by senior Lashay Banks (Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Charter) with 12:31 left in period one after trailing by four.  Banks had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes off the bench. 

Rider's bench out-scored Iona 20-0.

Trailing 24-20, Rider went on a 9-2 run, four points by Banks as the Broncs took a 29-26 lead with 7:19 left before intermission.

Iona led 32-29 before Rider scored five in a row, three points by freshman Kamila Hoskova (Czech Republic) as the Broncs went back into the lead 34-32, 4:06 before intermission.

“Kam did a great job, especially on Martinez,” Milligan said.

The teams went into the half tied 38-38 with Rider shooting a season-high 56 percent in the first period.

Rider out-shot Iona 59 percent (37-63) to 49 percent (29-59) and the Broncs were a perfect seven for seven from the field in the overtime period.  The Gaels went 0-9 in the second half and overtime from three-point range and were 3-18 from long distance in the game.

The Broncs avenged a 71-51 loss to the Gaels in Lawrenceville on December 5.

This is the second season in a row that Rider has defeated Iona in overtime (92-90 win in Alumni Gym) and the Broncs are 3-1 all-time in overtime against the Gaels including a 93-87 double overtime victory in Lawrenceville in 2010-11.

Rider and Iona have now met 40 times with the Broncs winning 15.  This was Rider's first win in New Rochelle since January 18, 2009.

“This gives us some momentum,” Perkins said.  “Iona isn't an easy team to beat, especially on their home court.”

Rider is now 11-5 under Milligan in overtime games including 2-0 this season and the Broncs have won five overtime games in a row.  Rider is 17-17 in overtime games since 1981-82.

“This is a good win for us, winning a conference road game,” said Milligan.  “Those are hard to come by and I'm proud of the effort today.”

The start of the game was delayed by an hour due to the icy road conditions in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area.

“We came ready to play,” Perkins added.  “Everyone just played well and played together.”

Rider travels to Bridgeport, Connecticut on Thursday, January 22 when the Broncs face Fairfield University at 5pm on ESPN 3.

-RU-