Women's College Basketball
Rider University 54, Saint Peter's University 49
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

LAWRENCEVILLE—Behind 17 points and three rebounds from sophomore Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic), the Rider University women's basketball team defeated Saint Peter's University 54-49 on Tuesday evening in Alumni Gymnasium in an hOURglass rivalry and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.

“You don't expect anything different from MAAC games in February,” said head coach Lynn Milligan.  “You know it's going to be a 40 minute battle.  I'm really pleased with the way we executed offensively today. I wanted to make more shots, obviously and we missed some easy ones in the first half, but I thought we executed our half-court offense better than we have in a while.  Defensively, we want to hold teams under 50 and we accomplished that today.”

The game was originally scheduled for January 26 and was postponed due to snow.

Leading 25-23 at the half, Rider (8-16, 5-9 MAAC), opened the second half on a 10-0 run, four points by Perkins and three points from senior Emily Fazzini (Wayne, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) as the Broncs led 35-23 with 14:40 remaining in the game.

Fazzini finished with 12 points, nine in the second half and added two assists and a steal in 27 minutes.

“I thought Emily had a good second half, stepping up and making some threes,” said Milligan.  “She got some back when she struggled early.”

Trailing 49-37, Saint Peter's (3-20, 3-11 MAAC) used a 10-1 run to cut the Bronc lead to three, 50-47 with 1:54 left in the game but could get no closer as Rider made four free throws in the final 1:30 to clinch the game.

Trailing 4-0 to open the game, Rider went on a 13-0 run, eight points by Perkins as Rider took a 13-4 lead 5:52 into the contest.

“Robin got us going early,” said Milligan.  “She made some great shots, coming off of good screens. I thought defensively Jules (Duggan) and Rita (Gillcrease) were rebounding the ball really well."

Playing 33 minutes, Perkins shot 8-16 from the field.

Sophomore Julia Duggan (Marmora/Ocean City) finished with eight points and seven rebounds, tying a career-high with 37 minutes and senior Marritta Gillcrease (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry Traditional) had six points and five rebounds in 27 minutes.

Trailing 23-8, Saint Peter's finished the half on a 15-2 run over the final 5:10 of the opening period and the teams went into the locker room with Rider holding a 25-23 lead.

“We gave up 11 points in that last 3:30 of the first half and a lot of that was based on poor decisions on offense,” Milligan said.  “We gave up a couple of fast break lay ups.  We have to do a better job with that.”

Saint Peter's out-shot Rider 39 percent (21-54) to 35 percent (18-51) with Rider making six three-pointers to none for Saint Peter's.

“I thought KV gave us some nice minutes as well,” Milligan added.  A senior from Siauliai, Lithuania, Kornelija Valiuskyte finished with five points and two key steals in only 13 minutes of play.

The Broncs held a 35-34 rebounding advantage.

Rider avenged a 50-49 loss at Saint Peter's on January 2 in Jersey City.

Rider travels to Monmouth University on Friday night for a MAAC game at 7pm.

-RU-