LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Dimencio Vaughn (New York, NY/Callaway/The Masters School [Ole Miss]) had a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds as the Rider University men's basketball team defeated Coppin State, 81-69, in the Broncs' home opener Friday night at Alumni Gym. With the win, the Broncs even their record at 1-1, while the Eagles are now 0-3.

Rider built leads of seven points on two occasions in the first half, but Coppin State fought back each time, whittling the Broncs' advantage to three at the half. Vaughn paced the Broncs with nine first-half points, while Dwight Murray, Jr. (Austell, GA/Pebblebrook [Incarnate Word]) added seven.

After the Eagles cut the lead to one early in the second, Rider used a 14-4 spurt to build its first double-digit lead of the game on an Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College H.S.) free throw at the 14:37 mark. The lead swelled to as many as 15 points, but Coppin State still would not go away, cutting the Broncs' advantage to four with an 11-0 run. But the Eagles couldn't draw any closer. Rider rebuilt its double-digit lead on a Vaughn three-pointer with 2:39 remaining and two late Powell free throws pushed the advantage up the final 12-point cushion.
 
Quotes & Notes
"I thought in the second half, we got into a little bit more of a groove and started becoming more aggressive in getting downhill. We still have to do a better job keeping the ball in front defensively. But give our guys credit for coming out in the second half and getting some stops and being more aggressive." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- Rider is now 6-4 in home openers under Baggett, including wins in four of the Broncs' last five.
- 10 Broncs saw action in the game. Starters Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (Delta State, Nigeria/Monsignor Bonner) and Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) played just 19 and 20 minutes, respectively, due to foul trouble before both fouling out.
- The Broncs return to action Sunday, when they play host to Delaware State. The 5 p.m. tip-off will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Vaughn's only miss in the second half came from beyond the arc. He made 3-of-4 from the floor, 1-of-2 from long range and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. For the game, he was 9-of-9 from the stripe.
- Murray added 17 points for the second-straight game. He also grabbed six rebounds.
- Powell scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half. Both Powell and Murray made 3-of-6 attempts from long range. Powell also had a game-high five assists and led the Broncs with three steals.
- Ogemuno-Johnson joined Vaughn in grabbing nine rebounds.
- For the game, Coppin State outshot Rider, 43.8 percent (21-48) to 41.8 percent (23-55) from the floor.
- The Broncs took a 42.3 percent (11-26) to 40.7 percent (11-27) edge from long range and knocked down 77.4 percent (24-31) from the free-throw line to Coppin State's 59.3 percent (16-27).
- Rider outrebounded its second-straight opponent, taking a 42-28 edge on the glass.
- The Broncs took a 20-6 edge on second-chance points.
- Rider led for 37 minutes and 10 seconds, while trailing for just 59 seconds of game time.