Men's College Basketball

Rider University 76, Saint Peter's University 45

JERSEY CITY, NJ— Jersey City is often referred to as the “Sixth Borough” due to its proximity and accessibility to New York City.

Here in Jersey City Thursday night, it was Rider's “Sixth Man”, Xavier Lundy, whose accessibility to the basket gave Rider a big boost off the bench.

Rider junior Xavier Lundy (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) compiled 18 points, making seven of 10 shots, and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory at Saint Peter's Thursday night.

Lundy came in off the bench and scored 12 quick points as Rider jumped out to a 34-10 lead 15 minutes into the game. “X is a good player for us,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett.  “He's getting his confidence back.”

The Broncs (8-13, 4-6 MAAC) shot a season-best 51 percent from the field. Rider out-rebounded Saint Peter's 37-22.

For Saint Peter's (8-10, 6-3 MAAC) junior center Quadir Welton compiled 15 points. The Peacocks won six of their first seven MAAC games before losing by six points at Iona last Friday. “We knew this game was important,” Baggett said, “with Saint Peter's being at the top of the league.”

Saint Peter's out-scored Rider 12-7 over the final 4:23 of the first half to cut the Rider lead to 41-22 at half time.

Rider jumped out to a 16-2 lead and never trailed in the game.

Also for Rider, junior Jimmie Taylor (Branford, Fla./Suwannee) added 13 points and six assists, while senior Khalil Alford (Raleigh, NC/Fishburne Military) added 10 points.

“We're playing more as a team,” Baggett said. “Guys like Jimmie and X are back in the mix, we're not just relying on one or two guys to score.”

The 45 points allowed is the least this season. “We are not only getting better offensively but defensively as well,” Baggett said.

The game was part of the hOURglass Rivalry series with Rider, Saint Peter's and Monmouth.

The conference win was the first on the road for the Broncs this season. Rider has now won its last two games by a combined 54 points.

Rider lost by 12 points at home to Saint Peter's on December 2 in the first MAAC game of the season, and lost in the last meeting last season, in the MAAC quarterfinals. “The last two times we played Saint Peter's they really took it to us,” Baggett said, “so I'm really happy for our guys tonight.”

Rider has won 17 of the last 23 meetings with Saint Peter's, nine of the last 12, including both meetings during the regular season last year.

Jersey City is often referred to as “Wall Street West” because of its high concentration of Wall Street companies.

Here in Jersey City Thursday night, Rider's stock continued to rise, as the Broncs won for the fourth time in the last five games.

The Broncs host Canisius Sunday at 1pm. “Canisius really shoots the ball well,” Baggett said.  “They are a really good team. We're looking forward to the challenge.”

Sunday will also be Academic Achievement Day, as Rider will honor its student-athletes for their high grade point averages at halftime.

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