Lawrenceville, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team was upended by Holy Cross, 83-56, on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Crusaders (2-1) bounced back from a midweek setback against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Marist, while the Broncs (0-3) dropped their second home game of the 2017-18 campaign.

Holy Cross ran an effective offense in the first half, shooting 50 percent from the field to build an 18-point halftime lead. The visiting Crusaders knocked down nine of their 15 shots in the first quarter, highlighted by hitting 4-of-7 from three-point range to hold a 26-13 edge after 10 minutes of play.

Rider started the second half on a 9-2 run and would later cut the deficit to single digits before Holy Cross would answer with a run of their own to maintain a 59-41 lead after three quarters.

Senior Kamila Hoskova (Brno, Czech Republic/Sportovni Gymnazium Ludvika Danka) paced the offensive attack for the Broncs with a team-high 15 points on an efficient 11-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe. Two other Broncs scored in double figures as both sophomore guard Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) and freshman Jaiden Morris (Richmond, VA/Monacan) both poured in 11 points apiece.

It was a balanced attack for Holy Cross as three different players scored in double figures led by guard Infiniti Thomas-Waheed with a game-high 22 points.  

NOTES & QUOTES
"We are a work in progress that's pretty obvious. We are always going to battle and do what we do so that kind of stuff doesn't surprise me. We have a lot of work to do. We are a young team trying to find our identity. We haven't found it yet, but we will. We'll get back in the gym and keep working and doing the things we need to do to tighten some things us particularly on the defensive end and try and get better for the next game." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

"Our offense is designed to get yourself to the line a little bit. I thought they did a really good job of guarding Kami on the perimeter, but she did a good job of getting to the line 12 times. Her being able to do that from the four spot today was a really good sign for her. I thought we attacked hard, we left a couple out there obviously that I think we'll start to make." – Milligan

- Holy Cross had the first eight rebounds of the game.
- Rider forced two shot clock violations in the first quarter.
- Rider opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run.
- The Broncs shot over 45 percent (5-11) from the floor in the third quarter.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Hoskova also grabbed six rebounds and had two assists for the Broncs.
- Morris scored in double figures for the first time in her career.  
- Stella Johnson had a team-best eight rebounds to go along with two assists, one block and one steal.
- Junior guard Lexi Posset hit two three-pointers for the Broncs.   
- Rider had seven assists on 16 made field goals.
- The Broncs shot 77 percent (20-of-26) from the free-throw line.

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Tuesday, November 21, with a road non-conference clash against Lafayette that is slated to begin at 7:00 pm. The contest is the fourth of four straight for the Broncs against opponents from the Patriot League to open the season. Tuesday's tilt will feature live stats and video. For links visit the women's basketball schedule page on GoBroncs.com.