Women's College Basketball
Niagara University 67, Rider University 57
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University women's basketball team was sent to its seventh straight loss, falling to Niagara University 67-57 on Sunday afternoon before over 500 fans in Alumni Gymnasium.

“It's disappointing any time you lose at home,” said head coach Lynn Milligan.  “Playing four games in seven days has been tough but we felt that the home crowd would get us over the hump.”

Rider (3-12, 0-6 MAAC) sophomore C'quoya Haughton (Albany, N.Y./Stoneleigh Burnham Prep) paced the Broncs, tying a career-high with 12 points on six for eight shooting and she added four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes of play.

“C'quoya is starting to take shots that she can make,” said Milligan.  “She is putting herself into good positions to be successful and she is working hard to get open.”  

Niagara (5-10, 3-3 MAAC) was led by 24 points and 14 rebounds from New Jersey native, senior Sam Lapszynski with sophomore Kaylee Stroemple adding 18 points and eight rebounds.

“We didn't have an answer for Lapszynski,” Milligan said.  “I thought both of Niagara's post players had a nice game.”

Trailing 4-2, back to back baskets by Haughton gave the Broncs a 6-4 lead 4:02 into the game.

Trailing 7-6, Rider went on a 5-0 run, all five points by junior Taylor Wentzel (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) as the Broncs went back into the lead 11-7 with 4:05 left in the opening quarter.

Wentzel finished with nine points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in 31 minutes of action.

Niagara responded with a 7-2 run to take a 14-13 lead with 2:34 left in period one.

After Rider went back into the lead 15-14, Niagara ended the period with four straight points to lead 18-15 after 10 minutes of play.

Tied 19-19, Niagara went on a 7-0 run, taking a 26-19 lead with 6:04 left before the half.

Haughton scored four points as Rider got to within 28-25 with 3:28 left in the second period.

Niagara responded by scoring seven of the final 10 points of the quarter to lead 35-28 at intermission.

Senior Manon Pellet (Marseille, France) hit a three-pointer to get Rider to within 38-33, 1:12 into the third period before the Purple Eagles scored eight of the next 10 points, expanding their lead to 46-35 with 3:31 left in period three.

Pellet finished with five points and six rebounds and added three steals and two assists in 25 minutes of action.

“I know we will turn this around, said Pellet who played in her 105th career game and made her 78th straight start.  “We are 100 percent committed to get better.  Effort has not been an issue with us.  It's not easy but we will turn it around.  We have to step up and make baskets.”

Freshman Johnnah Johnson (Blackwood/The Hun School) scored on a layup with 2:08 left in the third period, cutting the Bronc deficit to 46-39 before Niagara finished the period scoring five straight points.

Johnson had six points and four rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

“Johnnah did a good job today,” Milligan added.  “After not having played for almost two years, she is still getting used to the speed of the game.  We are seeing some good things from her over the past two games.”

A three-pointer by junior Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic) cut the deficit to 60-51 with 3:06 remaining in the game but that was as close as Rider would get as the Purple Eagles pushed the lead to as high as 14 with 45 seconds remaining.

Playing extended minutes for the first time in three games due to an ankle injury, Perkins, the second leading scorer in the MAAC, finished with seven points and added two steals in 32 minutes of play.

Four straight points by junior Julia Duggan (Marmora/Ocean City) in the last minute made the final 67-57.

Duggan had six points and five rebounds, including four on the offensive glass for the Broncs.

Also for Rider, sophomore Kamila Hoskova (Czech Republic) finished with 10 points, three assists and three steals in 24 minutes of play.

“Kam hit a couple of threes and made some nice plays for us,” Pellet said.

Rider was out-shot 46 percent (23-50) to 36 percent (22-61) with the Purple Eagles attempting 25 free throws (and making 17).  The Broncs were eight for eight from the free throw line.

Rider was out-rebounded 39-30.

The teams split the two MAAC games last season with each squad winning on its home floor.  Niagara improved to 25-17 all-time against Rider.  The teams meet at Niagara on February 14.

After beginning the season 2-0, Rider has lost 12 of 13.

Rider hosts Fairfield University in an ESPN3 doubleheader with the Bronc men on Thursday beginning at 5pm.

-RU-