NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team came up on the losing end of a 56-40 result on the road against Iona on Saturday evening at the Hynes Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.
 
The Gaels (2-4, 2-2 MAAC) secured a regular-season sweep of the Broncs (0-8, 0-4 MAAC).
 
The tilt went back-and-forth in the early minutes before Iona closed the first frame on a 7-0 run. The Gaels took a four-point advantage into the second frame, 14-10, and the Broncs would be unable to regain the lead.  
 
After taking a seven-point lead into halftime, the host Gaels stretched the lead to 17 at 41-24 late in the third frame. In the third quarter, Iona shot over 54 percent from the field (6-of-11) and hit a trio of three pointers.
 
The youth provided a spark for the Broncs once again as the Rider attack was led by freshmen Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) and Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep). Firebaugh scored a team-high 12 points and Toussaint record her first career double-double thanks to an 11-point, 12-rebound effort.

QUOTES & NOTES

- Iona leads the all-time series with Rider, 29-24.
- Rider outrebounded Iona, 35-28. It was the second time this season that the Broncs pulled down more boards than their opponent.
- Rider tied a season-high with 12 steals in the game. It was the team's third game this season with 11 or more steals.  
- Freshmen and sophomores accounted for 31 of Rider's 40 points.  
- Rider shot 80 percent (8-of-10) at the free-throw line.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Firebaugh scored in double figures for the third time this season. She also had a career-high five steals.
- Toussaint had a career-night as she tied her season-high with 11 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Toussaint also had one assist and two steals.
- Maya Hyacienth had seven points, five rebounds and three steals for the guests.
 
UP NEXT
Rider closes out its 2020-21 non-conference slate with a road clash against in-state rival NJIT on Wednesday, December 23. Opening tip is slated for 2:00 pm in Newark.