LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Senior Amari Johnson (Red Lion, PA/Dallastown) recorded her fourth double-double of the season thanks to 24-point, 15-rebound performance to lead the Rider University women's basketball team past visiting Wagner, 77-63, on Wednesday evening in non-conference action at Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The Broncs (6-2) scored their third straight win and remained undefeated at home, while the Seahawks (4-5) dropped their second contest in a row.
 
Wagner jumped out to an early lead after the first quarter thanks to knocking down five treys over the first 10 minutes. The Broncs defense would lock in as Rider held the Seahawks to just two more three-pointers over the final 30 minutes.
 
Senior Aubre Johnson (Post Falls, ID/Post Falls) scored in the post to give the Broncs a 31-27 lead going into halftime. In the third quarter, Rider outscored the Seahawks, 24-11, thanks to shooting over 66 percent (10-of-15) from the field.
 
The Bronc lead swelled to as many as 20 early in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks would answer with a spurt to cut the lead just nine with under two minutes to play. Down the stretch, Rider held on for its third straight home victory.
 
Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) and Lea Favre (Vevey, Switzerland/Lycee Jeanne D'Arc) were the other Broncs in double figures. Johnson poured in 18 points and Favre added 12 of her own.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Any time you get to compete on your home floor it's always special. We take a lot of pride in protecting our home floor. I was really happy with the win tonight. When we needed to get points on the board we did. We need to be a little more consistent on the defensive end, obviously. Overall, any time you can win a game this time of year with exams and everything it's nice." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan
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- The two teams played for the first time since December of 2006.
- Rider shot a season-best 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor.
- It marked the third straight game in which the Broncs had three players score in double figures.
- The Broncs shot an impressive 67.8 percent (19-of-28) from the field in the second half.
- Rider had more assists than turnovers (19-to-15) for the third game in a row.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Amari now has a MAAC-leading four double-doubles this season. Her 24 points were a season-best as were her 15 rebounds. She was 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Amari also added three assists, two blocks and two steals.
- Lea Favre has scored in double figures three straight games. Since entering the starting lineup against La Salle on December 7, she is shooting 62 percent (18-of-29) from the field and pouring in 12 points per game.
- Stella Johnson had the first five points of the game for the Broncs. She also had seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
- Amanda Mobley had a season-high seven assists.
- Aubre Johnson had six points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists for Rider.
 
UP NEXT
Following a brief holiday layoff, Rider closes out its 2019 non-conference slate with a road game against Delaware State on December 30. Opening tip is slated for 4:00 pm as the Broncs and Hornets square off for the first time since November of 2003.