ORLANDO, FL – Dimencio Vaughn (New York, NY/Callaway/The Masters School) had a team-high 14 points, but the Rider University men's basketball team fell at UCF, 84-70, in the season opener Tuesday night at CFE Arena. Tyere Marshall (Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King/Putnam Science) and Frederick Scott (Munster, IN/Simeon [DePaul]) added 11 points apiece, with Scott also grabbing six boards.

Rider scored the game's first six points and led for most of the first half before the Knights closed the period on a 15-1 run over the final 3:13, including the final 13 points. Ahmad Gilbert (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution [Minnesota]) led the Broncs with all nine of his points in the half, while Vaughn added eight.

The UCF run continued into the second half and stretched to 29-5, leaving UCF with a 57-38 lead at the 16:05 mark. After the Knights further extended to a 24-point lead, the Broncs' full-court press helped whittle the deficit down to 11 on two occasions. But Rider could draw no closer.

Quotes & Notes
"We've got a long way to go. I thought our guys competed, trying to get back in the game. We've just got to try to get our bench to play better when our starters get into foul trouble. But I like the way that we competed. We didn't give up. I'm encouraged. It's only one game and we'll get better as time goes on." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- The meeting was the second in the all-time series with UCF. The Knights took the first game in December 1986 and now has a 2-0 lead.  
- Gilbert, Kimar Williams (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution [Florida International]) and Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (Landowne, PA/Monsignor Bonner) all made their Rider debuts.
- The Broncs return to action Monday, Nov. 19, when they play host to Coppin State at 7 p.m.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Despite giving up size to UCF in the way of 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall, 6-foot-11 forward Collin Smith and 6-foot-9 forward Chad Brown, the Broncs matched the Knights' 47 rebounds.
- UCF took a 45.8 percent (27-59) to 39.1 percent (27-69) edge from the floor.
- The Broncs made 7-of-17 three-point attempts (41.2 percent), besting the Knights' 22.7 percent (5-22) from long range.
- Rider was whistled for 33 fouls to 22 against UCF, resulting in 45 free-throw attempts for the Knights to the Broncs' 24. UCF outshot Rider, 55.6 percent (25-45) to 37.5 percent (9-24) from the line.  
- Williams and Jordan each dished out a team-high four assists.
- Rider's bench outscored UCF's, 27-15, while the Broncs' also enjoyed a 22-9 edge in second-chance points.