NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Junior forward Lea Favre (Vevey, Switzerland, Lycee Jeanne D'Arc) scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Rider University women's basketball team past Niagara, 79-64, on Sunday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action inside the Tapps Gallagher Center.

Favre was one of four Broncs in double figures as she hit 9-of-14 shots from the field and all six of her free-throw attempts on Sunday. She also added six rebounds and a pair of blocks in 38 minutes of game action.

With the win, Rider (16-11, 12-4 MAAC) snapped a two-game losing streak and moved into sole possession of second-place in the MAAC standings, while the Purple Eagles (12-15, 8-8 MAAC) dropped their third conference game in a row.

After a slow start, the Broncs used a 10-2 run in the second quarter to build a lead. After Niagara tied the game at 32, sophomore Daija Moses (Toronto, Ontario/Henry Street) knocked down a buzzer-beating trey from the corner to give Rider a 35-32 advantage heading into halftime.

The Broncs never trailed in the second half as junior Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) erupted for 10 points in the third frame to stretch the Rider advantage to four at 49-45 heading into the fourth quarter.

Over the final 10 minutes, Rider shot 58 percent (7-of-12) from the field and knocked down 15-of-16 free-throw attempts to stretch their lead to double digits and escape with the pivotal MAAC win.  

NOTES & QUOTES
"It was a really good road win for this time of the year. It's not an easy place to come up to, especially for just one game. I was really proud of our effort particularly in the second half. Defensively we did a good job." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

- Rider has now won five of the last six meetings with Niagara.
- The Broncs have had four players score in double figures in each of their last five wins.
- Rider was 21-of-24 (87.5%) at the free-throw line. The Broncs have shot over 78 percent from the charity stripe in five of their last six games.
- The 21 made free throws for the Broncs were a season-high.
- Rider had 17 assists and committed 15 turnovers. The Broncs are now 9-0 overall and 6-0 in MAAC play when they record more assists than turnovers.
- Rider forced 17 Niagara turnovers. The Broncs are 12-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Lea Favre scored over 20 points for the third time in her career.
- Amari Johnson recorded her fifth double-double of the season thanks to a 10-point, 10-rebound performance. It was the seventh time this year that a Rider player has recorded a double-double. The Broncs are 6-1 in those games. Amari also added three blocks.
- Lexi Posset had 18 points for the Broncs. She was 8-of-10 at the free-throw line.
- Stella Johnson had 18 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. All 18 of Stella's points came in the second half.
- Off the bench, Daija Moses added seven points on 3-of-6 shooting.  

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Thursday, February 28 with a home conference tilt against Siena. Opening tip is slated for 7:02 pm as the Broncs are looking to for the regular-season sweep of the Saints after topping Siena in Loudonville earlier this season. Prior to the game, the Broncs will honor their two seniors and one graduate student.