Women's College Basketball
Rider University 70, Princeton University 62

PRINCETON—On a night that the Princeton University basketball team honored its past with the unveiling of the 2016 NCAA banner, it was Rider freshman Stella Johnson who had a banner game.

Making her collegiate debut, the Denville, New Jersey native scored a team-high 20 points and added six steals and three assists as Rider defeated cross-town rival Princeton 70-62 on Friday night at Jadwin Gymnasium.

“We expect to win every game, that's what we prepare for,” said head coach Lynn Milligan who saw her squad force 21 Tiger turnovers.  “I think we set the tone defensively and that's what got us going.  Our tempo was good all game.”

“Stella, what a way to start her career,” Milligan said.

Rider won its season opener for the second season in a row and snapped an eight-game skid against the perennial power Tigers who have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times since the 2009-10 season.

“Princeton is a very good team and obviously well coached,” said Milligan.  “They have some amazing young talent on their squad.”

Also for Rider (1-0), senior Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic) had 16 points and added four rebounds in 21 minutes played.

“Robin put her teammates in good positions to be successful,” said Milligan.

Trailing 17-10 with 2:41 left in the opening quarter, Rider went on a 10-0 run, eight points by junior Kamila Hoskova (Czech Republic) as the Broncs took a 20-17 lead with 8:43 left in the second quarter.

Rider used an 11-2 run midway through the second quarter, with six different players hitting the scoring column as the Broncs turned a 25-22 deficit into a 33-27 lead with 1:31 remaining before intermission, the final lead change of the contest.

Rider led 35-33 at the break.

Rider opened the third quarter with a 19-4 run, nine points by Perkins and six points by Johnson as the Broncs took their biggest lead of the game 54-37 with 2:41 left in the period.

Princeton (0-1) responded with a 16-2 run, cutting the Rider lead to 56-53 with 7:50 remaining in the game.

Leading 62-57, Rider put the game away with an 8-0 run, six points by senior Julia Duggan (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City), making the score 70-57 with one minute remaining in the contest.

“Our senior leadership showed in the end,” Milligan said.  “I thought Julia made some nice plays down the stretch.”

Playing 27 minutes, Duggan had 12 points and four steals while adding five rebounds, moving into 13th place all-time at Rider with 557 boards.

Princeton held a 42-40 advantage on the boards.

The Broncs out-shot the Tigers 45 percent (29-65) to 39 percent (25-65).

Rider won for the ninth time in 33 meetings all-time against Princeton and for the first time over the Tigers since December 29, 2007 when Amanda Sepulveda hit a buzzer beater giving Rider a 45-42 victory.

This is only the second time in 14 tries that the Broncs have won at Princeton.

Rider hosts Lafayette College in the home opener on Monday evening in Alumni Gymnasium.

-RU-