NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Four players scored in double figures as the Rider University women's basketball team raced past host Niagara, 71-55, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action on Saturday afternoon at the Tapps Gallagher Center.
 
The Broncs (14-2, 7-0 MAAC) scored their 11th straight victory, while the Purple Eagles (6-11, 4-4 MAAC) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
 
After a back-and-forth contest in the first meeting between the two teams, Rider never trailed on Saturday. The Broncs led for over 38 minutes of game time and stretched their lead to as many as 25 late in the third quarter.
 
Senior Lea Favre (Vevey, Switzerland/Lycee Jeanne D'Arc) paced the Rider offensive attack with 18 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting, while classmates Amari Johnson (Red Lion, PA/Dallastown) and Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) each added 15 points apiece. Sophomore point guard Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) was the other Bronc in double figures with 12 points.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"This team is resilient. We obviously look to Stella a lot for leadership. Her supporting cast has been outstanding all season. We have a lot of different parts that make us successful. All of those parts have to be clicking in order for us to do what we do. The better defense we play the better flow we have on offense." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"Lea had a great game today. Last year, she led the MAAC in field-goal percentage and she's right up there again this year. Her teammates trust her. She's got great hands and is very confident at 15 feet. She's expanded her game to be better on the block. She runs the floor extremely hard." – Milligan on Favre
 
- Rider completed the regular-season sweep of the Niagara with the win. The Broncs have now won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams.
- The Broncs have 15 wins against Niagara under Lynn Milligan. The 15 wins are her second-most against any MAAC opponent (Saint Peter's – 17).
- Rider is now 12-0 this season when three or more players score in double figures.
- Rider had a season-high eight blocked shots. It was the most blocked shots by the Broncs since the team had nine in an overtime win at Manhattan in February of 2018.
- The Broncs are 10-1 this season when a player records a double-double.
- Rider shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field.
- The Broncs got off to a quick start, holding Niagara to just nine points on 12 percent (2-of-16) shooting from the field in the first quarter.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Amari Johnson registered her MAAC-leading 10th double-double of the year. It was her third straight double-double. She had 15 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high six blocks. Her 10 double-doubles are the most by a Bronc since Julia Duggan had 12 in 2016-17.
- Lea Favre had 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting. She has scored in double figures in 10 of her last 11 games. Rider is undefeated since she joined the starting lineup after an early-season injury.
- Amanda Mobley had 12 points, nine assists and two steals for Rider. When Mobley scores in double figures Rider is 7-0 this year. It was her fourth MAAC game this year with nine or more assists.
- Stella Johnson had 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals for Rider.
 
UP NEXT
Rider has a busy week ahead with three conference games at Alumni Gymnasium. The Broncs open a three-game home stand on Tuesday, January 28, against Fairfield.