Box Score Men's College Basketball
Niagara University 65, Rider University 61
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—Country singer Gary Allan sings “Every storm runs out of rain,” or in the case of Saturday, runs out of snow.
Rider was On the Storm, winning five in a row and 15 of the last 18 games, before being upset by Niagara.
Emile Blackman scored 30 points to lead 11th place Niagara to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory at second place Rider Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 49-47, Niagara (6-21, 5-13 MAAC) out-scored Rider 10-0, five points by Blackman, to take a 57-49 lead with 4:30 left to play. That was the unlucky 13th and final lead change of the game.
Speaking of unlucky, Rider (19-10, 13-5 MAAC) wore new grey uniforms Saturday for the first, and possibly last, time. “It isn't the uniform, it is the player inside the uniform that matters,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett. “Give Niagara a great deal of credit. They came in here and played like it was their home court. We did not play well at all today, especially defensively.”
“Both teams played hard and we were fortunate to win this game,” said second-year Niagara head coach Chris Casey. “We made probably one more play than Rider did and we won. We won a game against a very good team that is well-coached.”
Niagara won the battle on the boards 34 to 27 and shot 10 for 22 from beyond the three-point arc. “We got out-rebounded and we gave up threes after threes,” Baggett said. “We didn't execute, and that's what happens, you lose.”
Niagara made six of six foul shots in the final 21 seconds, four by Blackman, to preserve the win. “We made our free throws down the stretch,” Casey said.
For the game Niagara made 15 of 16 foul shots, while Rider made just 10 of 20.
“The free throws finally got us,” Baggett said of his Broncs, who have managed to be in second place in the conference despite being last in the conference in free throw shooting.
Blackman made six of nine three-pointers. “He's a good player but when someone makes a couple threes you have to make an adjustment and we didn't do that,” Baggett said.
The score was tied at 35-35 at the half. The first half saw seven ties and eight lead changes. The second half began with a 6-0 Rider run to build a 41-35 lead, but the Purple Eagles went on a 12-2 run, seven points by Blackman, to take a 47-43 lead. The Broncs answered with another 6-0 run, four points by junior Zedric Sadler (Detroit, Mich./Cody) to take a 49-47 lead, their last lead of the game.
For Rider, junior Teddy Okereafor (London, England/VCU) compiled 14 points and four assists. “I think we came out complacent and didn't play defense,” Okereafor said. “We didn't stay focused or disciplined enough.”
Junior Shawn Valentine (Sicklerville, NJ/Phelps) added 10 points off the Rider bench.
Ten different Broncs scored.
Rider was playing without its leading scorer and rebounder, senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.), who was out with a knee injury.
“There are no excuses, we lost,” Baggett said. “Take nothing away from Niagara. They showed up here and they played hard.”
Rider beat Niagara less than a week ago, 69-60 last Sunday in New York. The Purple Eagles had not won in Alumni Gym since the 2006-07 season.
If Saturday's game proves one thing, it is that the MAAC has parity, as 11th place Niagara defeated second place Rider.
Rider and Niagara have met 41 times since the series began in 1991-92, with Niagara now holding a 21-20 advantage. Rider had won the last five meetings, 10 of the last 11 meetings and 12 of the last 15. Since joining the MAAC, Rider is 20-16 against Niagara in regular season games.
Rider now takes its 10-4 away record on the road to Monmouth for the final away game of the season Thursday, February 26, on ESPN3.
-ru-
