LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – A fourth-quarter comeback fell just short for the Rider University women's basketball team in a 63-58 loss to visiting Marist on Tuesday evening in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action inside Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The Broncs (17-4, 10-2 MAAC) shot over 56 percent from the field in the second half, but it was not enough as the Red Foxes (18-4, 11-2 MAAC) scored their fourth win in a row.
 
Marist used a 19-4 run stretching from the end of the first quarter into halftime to build a lead they would not surrender. Rider scored just two points in the second quarter and shot six percent (1-of-16) from the field in the frame as the Red Foxes took a 28-13 lead into the break.
 
The Red Fox lead would swell to as many 19 early in the third before the Broncs battled back.
 
Rider used a 10-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull within two at 57-55 with 1:41 left in the game. After a stop on the defensive end, Rider had two chances to tie the game, but the hosts were unable to capitalize on an offensive rebound.
 
Down the stretch, Marist hit its free throws to earn the win.
 
Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) paced the Rider attack with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-24 shooting. Sophomore point guard Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) was the other Bronc in double figures with 17 points.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Obviously not the result we wanted. I think the second quarter is where we got ourselves in trouble. I didn't have a doubt that we would come back and make that a game. We've got to continue to stay locked in and make sure that we can put 40 minutes together. We did some good stuff. I was proud of our effort in the second half and the fight we showed. That's who we are. We just need to be that for 40 minutes." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- The Broncs and Red Foxes split the regular-season series for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
- The loss snapped Rider's 10-game home winning streak dating back to last season.
- Rider held Marist to just 10 percent (1-of-10) shooting from three-point range. Entering the game, the Red Foxes were shooting over 37 percent from distance and knocking down more than eight three-pointers per game.
- The Broncs turned 16 Marist turnovers into 21 points.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Stella Johnson had 26 points, eight rebounds, four steals, one assist and one block. She hit 3-of-7 from three-point range and played all 40 minutes. Stella now has 1,948 points in her career. She is two points away from moving into eighth-place in MAAC women's basketball history.
- Amanda Mobley had 17 points to go along with a game-high six assists. She hit 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-7 from three-point range. It was the eighth time she has scored in double figures this year. Rider is 7-1 when Mobley scores 10 or more points. She also added three steals.
- Amari Johnson tied a career-high with 17 rebounds. She chipped in six points and three steals for the Broncs.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Thursday, February 13, with a road conference showdown against Siena in the Empire State. Opening tip is slated for 7:00 pm as the Broncs are looking to complete the regular-season sweep of the Saints.