UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Three players scored in double figures as the Rider University women's basketball team knocked off host Penn State, 78-70, on Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center.
 
The Broncs (1-1) used a 17-3 run over the final eight minutes of the first quarter to build a lead against the Lady Lions (1-1) that they would not relinquish.
 
During the first quarter spurt, Rider held Penn State to just nine percent (1-of-11) from the field and the Nittany Lions committed five turnovers. On the offensive side of the ball, Rider was 6-of-12 shooting during the seven-minute surge.
 
Penn State would the cut the deficit to as little as three at 29-26 midway through the second, but the Broncs answered to with another mini run to take a 35-28 lead at the break.
 
In the second half, the Rider advantage swelled to as many as 19 points late in the third quarter.
 
Penn State came out strong in the fourth quarter, whittling the deficit down just five points with 30 seconds remaining. Down the stretch, the Broncs would knock down their free throws to escape with the win. Rider was a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe over the final 10 minutes of play.
 
Offensively, Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) paced the Rider attack with a game-high 25 points to go along with five assists, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Amari Johnson (Red Lion, PA/Dallastown) recorded her first double-double of the year thanks to a 14-point, 13-rebound performance, while sophomore Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) was the other Bronc in double figures with a career-high 15 points.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"This was a great team and character win for this team. We are proud of the effort and belief we got today. We had so many different players step up at different times. Stella and Amanda down the stretch with free throws, Amari with a double-double and Vic with four huge points down the stretch. We learned a lot about ourselves these first two games. We have to continue to grow in everything we do every day." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- The win was the first-ever for Rider against Penn State. The Nittany Lions had won the previous two meetings.
- The Broncs defeated a Power 5 program for the second time under Milligan. Rider had previously beaten Pittsburgh in December of 2012.
- The Rider bench outscored the Penn State reserves, 18-10.
- The Broncs shot over 79 percent (23-of-29) from the foul line.
- Rider had seven blocks in the game. It was their second straight game with six or more blocks.
- Rider had 15 assists on 24 made field goals.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Stella Johnson tied Debbie Snyder for the program record in steals with 254 in her career. It was her second straight game with over 20 points. Stella was 14-of-16 at the free-throw line. Both of those marks were career-bests.
- Amari Johnson's double-double was the sixth of her career. She has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the Broncs.
- Amanda Mobley scored in double figures for the second time in her career. She also added six assists, one block and three steals.
- Victoria Toomey had a career-high four points. She made the first two field goals in her career in the win.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Saturday, November 16, with a home non-conference contest against Xavier that is scheduled to tip at noon.