Women's College Basketball
Rider University 57 Saint Peter's University 48
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

LAWRENCEVILLE—Led by 19 points from junior Robin Perkins (Willingboro/Trenton Catholic), the Rider University women's basketball team won for the third time in four games with a 57-48 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Saint Peter's University Thursday evening in Alumni Gymnasium.

“This was a good, solid home win against a team that we played just a week ago,” said head coach Lynn Milligan.  “I thought we had a great week of practice and that translated into how we played tonight.  It was a good defensive effort.”

The reigning MAAC Player of the Week after averaging 19.7 points per game February 8-14, Perkins had 26 points against the Peacocks in Rider's 68-67 victory in Jersey City on February 9 and scored all 19 of her points tonight after the opening quarter.

“Robin started off a little slow tonight but finished strong,” Milligan said about Perkins who made eight of her final 13 shots.  “She knocked down some tough shots.”

“I play a part in the offense but my teammates make that happen,” Perkins said.  “If they don't get me the ball, I can't put it in the basket.”

Tied 9-9 after the opening quarter that featured seven lead changes, Rider (7-19, 4-13 MAAC) opened the second period on a 7-0 run, three points from sophomore Kamila Hoskova (Czech Republic) as the Broncs led 16-9, 1:52 into the quarter.

“We were getting good shots in the opening quarter, they just weren't dropping,” Milligan said.  “I thought we got some more inside touches and maybe some easier looks in the second quarter that got us going.  Defensively holding Saint Peter's to nine points in the second quarter got us going on the offensive end of the floor.”

Hoskova finished with three points and four rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

Leading 16-11, Rider used two free throws from junior Taylor Wentzel (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and a layup from junior Julia Duggan (Marmora/Ocean City) to open up a nine-point lead with 5:06 left in the second period.

Wentzel finished with 10 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals and Duggan had nine points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 37 minutes of play.

“We had different players step up at different times when we needed a basket,” Milligan said.  “Winning three of four games, it is critical that the team is peaking at the right time with so few games left.”

The Broncs used a 6-1 run, four points by Perkins to expand their lead to 28-16 with 1:00 left before the break and Rider led 28-18 at intermission.

Trailing 40-31, Saint Peter's ended the third quarter, scoring five of the six final points, cutting the Bronc lead to 41-36 with 10 minutes to go.

Perkins hit a three-pointer with 8:38 left, pushing the Rider lead to 44-36.

Leading 47-42, Rider held Saint Peter's to six points over the final 6:02 of the game and with the Broncs ahead 52-44, Rider made five of six free throws in the final 46 seconds to clinch the victory.

“We are learning how to put games away,” Perkins said.  “We are learning that it is not impossible for us to do this.  We've talked about that over the past few weeks and we are now starting to do it.”

Also for the Broncs, senior Manon Pellet (Marseille, France) had 10 points and five steals in 26 minutes off the bench.

“Manon is leaving everything she has on the floor,” Milligan said.  “She came back from the injury and is playing like a senior that sees the end.  She is savoring the moments with her teammates and is playing with that drive.”

With her one assist, the 110-game veteran Pellet moved into a tie for ninth place all-time on the Rider assist list with 294.

Rider forced 19 Saint Peter's turnovers and had 11 steals in the game while holding the Peacocks to 33 percent shooting (19-57). 

Saint Peter's (4-22, 2-15 MAAC) held a 39-36 rebounding advantage, including 19-13 on the offensive glass.

The Peacocks were led by nine points each from Sajanna Bethea and Rebecca Sparks with Bethea adding 13 rebounds, eight on the offensive glass.

Rider swept the season series after also defeating the Peacocks 68-67 on February 9 when Hoskova collected an offensive rebound and scored with 0.1 seconds for the game-winner.

Saint Peter's leads the all-time series 44-17 however Rider has won eight of the last 10 over the Peacocks.

The Peacocks have lost 11 straight games.

The game was part of the hOURglass rivalry series between Rider, Saint Peter's and Monmouth, MAAC schools all within an hour of each other's campus.

Rider and Saint Peter's joined forces to raise awareness and donations during the game by wearing pink in support of the Kay Yow Foundation and the Play 4Kay initiative in the fight against breast cancer.

“It is always a special night when we can bring awareness to this cause,” said Milligan.  “Unfortunately, breast cancer is one of those diseases that have really affected everyone in some sort of way and we just want to do our part to help such a worthy foundation.”

Rider hosts Quinnipiac University on Sunday at 2pm with the Bobcats entering play on a 13-game winning streak.  The Broncs will honor seniors Janine Loutzenhiser and Manon Pellet prior to the game.

-RU-