DOVER, DE – The backcourt duo of sophomore Sophia DeMauro (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Academy) and freshman Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) both had career days, but it was not enough as the Rider University women's basketball team fell on the road to Delaware State, 58-51, on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Broncs (0-4) shot over 59 percent (16-of-27) from the floor in the second half but saw their fourth-quarter comeback fall short as the Hornets (1-0) opened the season with a win.
 
After scoring just three points during the first quarter, Rider outscored DSU, 13-9. The hosts took a 22-16 edge into halftime.
 
The two teams traded buckets early in the third quarter before Delaware stretched its lead to 13 midway through the frame.
 
In the fourth, Rider cut the deficit to just five following a Firebaugh trey 90 seconds in. Delaware State answered with a 6-0 spurt to take back a double-digit lead.
 
The Broncs had a balanced attack with four players scoring eight or more points, led by DeMauro with a career-high 11 points. In her first collegiate start, Firebaugh was the other Bronc in double figures with 10 points.

QUOTES & NOTES
"It was another tough loss, but another game for us to continue to see the growth we need to see. We had some players step up and make some big plays. We are becoming a very balanced team at both ends. We seem to have a couple plays in our control that cost us each game. We have to continue to make the necessary adjustments and get ready for MAAC play." - Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

- The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Broncs against the Hornets.
- Rider shot 43 percent from the field (21-of-48). It was Rider's second time this season knocking down over 40 percent of its shots.  
- Eight different Broncs scored in the game.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- DeMauro scored in double figures for the first time in her career. She hit 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from the charity stripe. She also had three rebounds and one assist.
- Firebaugh set a new career-high in points for the second straight game. She poured in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting, including hitting 2-of-4 from three-point range.  
- Raphaela Toussaint eight points, one rebound, one steal and one block off the bench.
- Senior Daija Moses scored eight points and pulled down four boards for the Broncs.
- Sophomore Victoria Toomey chipped in five points and four rebounds for Rider.  

UP NEXT
Rider opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action on Friday, December 11, with the first of two back-to-back home contests versus Manhattan.