Box Score Men's College Basketball
Rider University 60, Canisius College 59
BUFFALO, NY— Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the scientific name for the fear of Friday the 13th and the millions who suffer from it have symptoms that range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks. It is the most widespread superstition in the United States.
Even the least superstitious Rider basketball fans had reason to fear the Canisius basketball team on Friday, the 13th of February, as the Golden Griffins shot 68 percent from the field in the first half and controlled the backboards.
The Broncs did not have any panic attacks, however, although there was plenty of anxiety on the Rider bench down the stretch.
Junior Teddy Okereafor (London, England/VCU) compiled 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory at Canisius Friday evening.
“It wasn't pretty but at this point of the season I'll take any win we can get,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett. “I am happy with the win. We were fortunate to sneak out a win tonight.”
Okereafor made two foul shots with 6.7 seconds left to give Rider (17-9, 11-4 MAAC) a 60-56 lead. His three-pointer with 31 seconds left gave Rider a 58-52 lead. “Teddy had a big three down the stretch,” Baggett said.
Rider has now won its last three games, five of its last six and 13 of its last 16 games. The Broncs are now 9-4 in away games, 6-2 in MAAC away games.
Trailing 42-35, Rider went on an 11-0 run, six points by Okereafor, to take a 46-42 lead with 8:47 left to play. “Give our guys credit for coming back in the second half the way they did,” Baggett said.
Rider sophomore Jimmie Taylor (Branford, Fla./Suwannee) finished with 13 points, including a three-pointer with 5:25 left to give Rider a 49-46 lead. “Jimmie made some big shots for us,” Baggett said.
The score was tied at 21-21 before Canisius (12-11, 7-7 MAAC) out-scored Rider 15-7 over the final 6:57 of the first half, seven points by Josiah Heath, to take a 36-28 lead at half time. Heath finished with 20 points but only had seven in the second half.
Canisius shot 68 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes and out-rebounded Rider 12-6. “We did not get off to a good start,” Baggett said. “We didn't play well the first half and they shot the ball at a ridiculous percentage.”
Rider senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.), who missed several days of practice with the flu, compiled seven points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes of action. “Matt was out all week so he was out of rhythm and we were out of rhythm without him.”
Rider junior Zedric Sadler (Detroit, Mich./Cody) added seven points, four rebounds and two asists in 29 minutes off the bench.
As a team Rider shot 50 percent from the field for the game and the Broncs are now 6-0 when they do that.
The Golden Griffins came to Lawrenceville on a three-game winning streak January 24 and lost to Rider 59-46 when they shot just 29 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers. In that game the Broncs had four players score in double figures.
Rider lost twice to Canisius last year. Since joining the MAAC Rider is 30-10 against Canisius, which includes 3-1 in postseason play. The overall series began in 1929-30 and Rider has won 32 of the 42 meetings.
Friday the 13th is an American horror franchise that comprises twelve slasher films, a television show, novels and comic books.
Rider fans witnessed their own horror show in the first half Friday, the 13th of February, but the story had a happy ending.
Rider stays here in Western New York to take on Niagara Sunday afternoon. “Niagara is tough at home so that is going to be another tough game for us,” Baggett said.
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