eAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team pulled away in the second half, ending the third quarter on a 19-3 run, to defeat cross-town TCNJ, 68-42, in an exhibition game Wednesday night.
 
Leading 36-30 midway through the third quarter, the Broncs got a three-pointer from Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood), followed by a lay-up from Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway) to kick-start the run. Firebaugh capped the rally by knocking down a jumper from just inside the three-point in the quarter's waning seconds.
 
Following a three-pointer by the Lions out of the third-quarter break, Evans scored a pair of buckets during a 10-0 run that extended the lead to 29, the largest of the game.
 
The Broncs opened the game strong, scoring the first 13 points, nine by Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) as they built a 19-2 lead. The Broncs led 24-7 at the end of the first.
 
TCNJ fought back in the second quarter, opening the frame on a 12-2 run that cut the Rider lead to just seven with 3:06 remaining in the half. Neither side could pull away Rider went into the half up 31-24.
 
 
Quotes & Notes
"Playing in front of fans, playing in our uniforms, being back in Alumni Gym with people in it was a really big deal tonight."
 
"I was very happy with our response in the second half. We challenged [the team] at halftime, and I did like the response that we got overall. I thought it was a successful night."
 
"Our defenses are designed for steals, and they're designed to get tips and deflections. We left a few out there on loose balls and deflecting balls out of bounds, but in order to be a good defensive team it has to come from the team." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"I was just tracking the ball. I had a problem grabbing it at times, but I was just doing what I do."
 
"It was really fun, especially because we haven't been able to experience that before. It was our first time in the zoo." – Sophomore Forward Raphaela Toussaint
 
"That's what keeps me going, the energy from the fans. It just makes it more surreal. I haven't seen [a MAAC Crowd], so I'm excited for it." – Senior Guard Lenajha Evans
 
 
- The Broncs have won all five exhibitions played between the two schools since the start of the 2016-17 season.
- Toussaint had a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She had four double-doubles a season ago.
- Evans had 15 points on 7-for-14 shooting. The senior had three double-digit scoring games a season ago, including a season-high 14 against Saint Peter's.
- Emily Strunk (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) and Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg [Buffalo]) made their first appearances in Rider uniforms.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 40.3% (29-72) from the field and 22.7% (5-22) from three. The Broncs held the Lions to 29.4% (15-51) shooting from the field, but TCNJ hit 34.6% (9-26) from three.
- The Broncs had 18 assists on their 29 made baskets, led by six each from Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) and Schiffer.
- Rider outrebounded TCNJ 45-38. Toussaint's 12 led Rider. Evans added eight boards and Firebaugh grabbed six.
- The Rider defense caused 23 turnovers and combined for 19 steals. The Broncs had nine different players record a takeaway, led by Toussaint, who had four. Firebaugh and Evans Each had three.
- Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) had three blocks.
 
Up Next
- Rider opens play in the regular season with a trip to Penn State to take on the Lady Lions on Thursday, November 11 at 7 p.m.