LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team gave preseason MAAC favorite Quinnipiac all it could handle Saturday afternoon, pushing the Bobcats to the brink before ultimately falling, 64-60, in the MAAC opener for both programs. The Broncs are now 2-8 on the season, while the Bobcats improve to 6-4.
 
Trailing 8-4 early in the first, Rider went on a 7-0 run. Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) knocked down a pair of free throws followed by a three-pointer by Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg). Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway) capped the run with a layup. Tied 13-13, Schiffer beat the first-quarter buzzer with a three after the Broncs got an offensive rebound and make the kick-out pass.
 
In the second, Rider continued to build the lead, stretching the margin as large as seven points, but the Bobcats ended the half on a 9-2 run that sent the game into the locker room tied 28-28.
 
Tied 38-38 in the third, the Bobcats closed out the quarter on a 10-3 run to enter the fourth up by seven.
 
The Broncs responded in the fourth, opening the quarter on a 13-0 run, including a tying-three from Firebaugh, then back-to-back threes by Anna Ekerstedt (Varberg, Sweden/Marks Gymnasieskola [Broward College]) and Schiffer. On the other end, the Broncs did not allow Quinnipiac to score for the first seven minutes of the quarter.
 
With the Broncs on top 55-52 with 1:36 remaining, Cur'Tiera Haywood made an and-one that tied the game, then the Bobcats took the lead on their ensuing possession. Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) responded with a driving layup that tied the score, 57-57. After a basket by Haywood, Toussaint drew a foul and made both free throws again tying the score with 28 seconds remaining. The Bobcats missed their next shot, but got an offensive board and a put back by Mikala Morris. Evans drew a foul on the other end, but made just one of two and following two Bobcat free throws, the Broncs' final three-point attempt was unsuccessful.
 
Quotes & Notes
"Great basketball game. Two good teams battling it out til the end, and in the end they got the last one. Most MAAC games are going to come down to a possession here, a possession there. That's what we're ready for, that's what we prepare for."
 
"Terrific, that what we expect from [Jessika]. That's why she chose to come here, she's not afraid of the spotlight. It certainly wasn't a surprise to any of us that she was knocking down her shots."
 
"It's something we've struggled with all season is finishing plays. I thought we did a good job switching our defenses up, making them think a little bit. I think we forced them to take shots they didn't want to take, but we didn't finish the play." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"Jess did a good job getting everyone involved today."
 
"We just need to rebound and box out. Everything else just builds off that. If we don't allow them to get a second chance, we'll be good." – Senior Guard Lenaejha Evans
 
"It would have been nice to have the win, but we can learn from that and move on and get better. When we got into a flow, they couldn't stop it."
 
"This game is more motivation to us than anything else." – Junior Guard Jessika Schiffer
 
- Quinnipiac extends its lead in the all-time series to 17-4. Saturday's game snaps a two-game Rider winning streak between the programs.
- Schiffer posted career-highs with 22 points, seven assists, and six made threes.
- Her six made threes are tied for the fifth-most in a game in program history. Firebaugh also tied that mark with six threes against Columbia earlier this season.
- Evans finished in double figures for the ninth time in ten games this season.
- Toussaint had a career-high four steals to go along with her eight points and eight boards.
- Ekerstedt was the lone Bronc to score off the bench, finishing with five points in 24 minutes.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 39.3% (22-56) from the field, and shot a season-best 47.6% (10-21) from three. Quinnipiac was held to just 34.9% (22-63) from the field, and 22.7% (5-22) from deep.
- The Broncs had 14 assists on their 22 made baskets, led by Schiffer's seven.
- The Bobcats out-rebounded Rider 45-31, including a 21-8 advantage on the offensive glass.
 
Up Next
- Rider continues MAAC play on Monday with a trip to Siena for a game at 7 p.m.