Women's College Basketball
Princeton University 78, Rider University 59

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University women's basketball team lost to Mercer County rival Princeton University 78-59 on Tuesday evening in Alumni Gymnasium.

“We prepared the last two days to win a ball game and didn't get that done,” said head coach Lynn Milligan.  “Credit to Princeton, they are a fantastic team and do a lot of good stuff.  We are a little disappointed in our offense tonight.”

For Rider (2-2), junior Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic) had 13 points with senior Manon Pellet (Marseille, France) adding a career-high tying 10 points to go along with three rebounds.

Pellet hit a three-pointer to give Rider an 8-6 lead three minutes into the game before the Tigers responded with 13-0 run, including three three-pointers from Annie Tarakchian who finished with a game-high 21 points while pulling down nine rebounds.

Sophomore Kamila Hoskova (Czech Republic) hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left in the opening quarter to get the Broncs to within 21-13 after the opening 10 minutes.  Hoskova finished with those three points in 16 minutes of play.

Leading 31-19, Princeton (3-1) scored eight of the next nine points to push its lead to 39-20 and the Tigers led 43-27 at intermission.

Trailing 59-35, Rider ended the third quarter on an 8-2 run, including a three-pointer from freshman Lexi Posset (Pittsburgh, Pa./Beaver Area).  Posset finished with six points and four rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.

Rider and Princeton traded points for much of the fourth quarter with the Tigers out-scoring the Broncs by one point.

Also for Rider, sophomore C'quoya Haughton (Albany, N.Y./Stoneleigh Burnham Prep) had eight points and a career-high 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

The Tigers out-rebounded Rider 46-36 including a 15-10 advantage on the offensive glass.

“Offensively, we can score the ball but we have to work a little harder on our defense to get into transition,” Pellet said.  “Tonight you saw that we have to box out more and get rebounds.”

Princeton shot 46 percent (32-70) with Rider shooting 20-58 (35 percent) and the Tigers had 22 assists on their made field goals.

“You make a mistake and Princeton will make you pay,” Milligan said.

The Tigers made eight three-pointers with Rider making seven.

Princeton now leads the all-time series 24-8 and the Tigers have won eight in a row over the Broncs.

Rider travels to Army West Point on Sunday at 1pm.

-RU-