LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Juniors Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) and Lea Favre (Vevey, Switzerland/Lycee Jeanne D'Arc) combined to score 42 points to lead the Rider University women's basketball team past visiting NJIT, 67-46, on Wednesday evening in non-conference action inside Alumni Gymnasium.

Johnson poured in a game-high 22 points to go along with eight assists, five steals, three blocks and three rebounds, while Favre added 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Favre was a factor in the post for the hosts, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out a trio of assists.  

The Broncs (3-4) have won back-to-back home tilts and three of their last four overall, while the Highlanders (1-7) dropped their second game to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponent this year.  

Rider got off to a quick start, hitting 8-of-18 shots in the first quarter to hold an 18-9 edge after 10 minutes. The Broncs forced eight NJIT turnovers in the second quarter to take a 30-23 advantage into halftime.

The Broncs won the third quarter and the hosts would pull away in the fourth frame to earn the victory.

Over the final 10 minutes, Rider hit 9-of-15 shots from the field and held the Highlanders to just 12 points to stretch their lead to as many as 22 late in regulation.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Obviously we were happy to get the win at home tonight. I thought the game was a grind, which we were expecting. Stella and Lea both stepped up for us tonight. Defensively, we were very strong in personnel. To force 26 turnovers is a good step for us. There's things we need to work on. We want to learn from our wins and our losses. Everything is a progression for us. If we continue to grow together then we will be where we need to be when we need to be there." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

- The win was the second straight for the Broncs against NJIT. Rider leads the all-time series, 3-1.
- Rider took zero free throws in the game.
- The Broncs had a season-high 22 assists. It was the most assists for the team since the team had 21 in a win over Iona in January of 2017.
- Rider had 14 steals in the game. It was the most for the team since they recorded 18 thefts in the season-opener last year versus Bucknell.
- The Broncs forced 26 turnovers and committed just eight.
- It was the second time this season that Rider had more assists than turnovers. The Broncs have won both of those contests this year.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- In two games against NJIT in her career, Favre is averaging 21 points and over six rebounds. She set a new career-high with 10 made field goals on Wednesday.
- Stella had five steals. It was her fourth game this season with three or more steals. It was also the third time in her career that she had three or more blocks in a game.
- Freshman Amanda Mobley, making her fourth career start, dished out a career-high five assists.
- Graduate transfer Mia Farmer had a career-high six points for Rider on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT
Rider closes out a two-game home stand on Sunday, December 2 as the Broncs welcome the United States Naval Academy to campus for a matinee. Opening tip is scheduled for 2:00 pm as the Broncs are looking to avenge a loss last season to Navy in Annapolis. Prior to Sunday's game, the women's basketball team will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable items for the Rider University Pantry on campus.