LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Four players scored in doubles as the Rider University women's basketball team defeated visiting Siena, 70-66, on Saturday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play inside Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The Broncs (12-2, 5-0 MAAC) won their ninth straight game, while the Saints (3-13, 1-6 MAAC) suffered their second consecutive setback.
 
Trailing by one at halftime, Rider shot 57 percent (4-of-7) from the field and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free-throw line in the third quarter. The Broncs outscored Siena, 16-11, to take a four-point edge into the final quarter.
 
Rider never trailed over the final 16 minutes of the contest.
 
Clinging to a one-point lead at 67-66 with under a minute to play, the Broncs got a stop and Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) knocked down two free throws to stretch the Bronc advantage to three.
 
With four seconds remaining, freshman guard Maya Hyacienth (Nottingham, United Kingdom/City of London Academy) stole a Siena inbounds pass at midcourt and she made one of two free throws to put the game away.
 
Mobley had a team-high 17 points, while both Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) and Amari Johnson (Red Lion, PA/Dallastown) registered double-doubles. Stella had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Amari poured in 10 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Lea Favre (Vevey, Switzerland/Lycee Jeanne D'Arc) was the other Bronc in double figures with 12 points.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Our defensive effort down the stretch was really solid. I thought our switches were on point. We forced Siena outside the perimeter and away from the basket which was good. Maya had a great steal at the end. Our communication was really good. We stepped up those last few minutes and got some big stops to find a way to win today." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- Rider has won nine straight games for the first time since the historic 2016-17 season.
- The Broncs are now 6-0 this year in games decided by five points or fewer.
- Rider is 8-1 when a player records a double-double this season.
- The Broncs are 10-0 when three or more players score in double figures.
- Rider shot over 55 percent (10-of-18) from the field in the second half.
- Rider is now 6-0 at home in 2019-20. It is the first time since the 1997-97 season that the Broncs have won their first six home contests of the season.
- Rider has now won 12 of its first 14 games for the first time since the 1993-94 season. It is just the second time since joining Division I after the 1981-82 campaign that the Broncs have started 12-2.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Stella Johnson recorded her second straight double-double. She now has three on the year. All three of her double-doubles have come in conference play. Stella added 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal. She was 5-of-9 shooting.
- Amanda Mobley had 17 points to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Mobley has scored in double figures in three straight games. When Mobley scores 10 or more points, Rider is 6-0 this year.
- Amari Johnson racked up her MAAC-leading eighth double-double of the season. She has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in five of her last six games.
- Lea Favre added 12 points for Rider.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action next weekend with a pair of games in western New York against Canisius and Niagara. The Broncs get the road swing underway on Thursday, January 23, with a showdown against the Golden Griffins in Buffalo. Rider is looking to avenge a setback at home to Canisius last season.