LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Broncs never trailed Monday night, in a 59-43 win over Siena. Rider improves to 3-8 on the season, evening its conference record at 1-1. The Saints drop to 0-9 on the season and 0-1 in league play.
 
The Broncs hit the accelerator in the first quarter and never looked back. Leading 3-2, Rider went on a 15-0 run, as the Broncs went 5-for-5 from the field, including 4-for-4 from long range. Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) and Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway) each knocked down a triple during the run with Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) adding a pair. The Broncs carried the 16-point advantage to the end of the first, leading 24-8 after the opening frame.
 
Siena fought back at the beginning of the second, forcing Rider into four early turnovers that helped the Saints cut the lead to 12. Rider would respond, building the lead as large as 21 on a put back by Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, Pa/Dunmore). Siena would end the half on a 4-0 run to send Rider into the half up 37-20.
 
The Saints made their biggest run, coming out of the break, scoring nine-straight to start the quarter, and cutting the deficit to just eight. The Broncs would respond. Toussaint had a pair of layups during a 7-0 Rider run, that ensured Rider would come out victorious. Rider ended the third up 44-31.
 
Neither side could make a run in the fourth as the lead hovered around 15 points for a majority of the final ten minutes.
 
Quotes & Notes
 
"It's a good win for us. Road wins are hard to come by in the MAAC. Any time you can go on the road in this league and come away with a win, it's a good win."
 
"Having four kids that can score on any given night is nice. Their teammates are getting them open. The person getting the shot is the easy part, it's all the work we do before that to put them in the right spot. Our bench is a little tighter right now, and when we get healthy there will be some other opportunities out there."
 
"We started Anna to get her length and athleticism in the starting lineup and she was great tonight. It's a step in the right direction, when we win the rebound battle. Anna and Vic did a great job in our zone tonight." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- Rider cuts Siena's lead in the all-time series to 35-17. The Broncs are 14-16 since head coach Lynn Milligan's arrival.
- Anna Ekerstedt (Varberg, Sweden/Marks Gymnasieskola [Broward College]) made her first-career start for the Broncs in the victory.
- Evans led the Broncs with 18 points, her fifth time leading Rider this season
- Evans finished in double figures for the tenth time in 11 games this season.
- The Broncs shot 51.2%, their first time shooting over 50% since a game vs. Canisius in February of 2020.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 51.2% (22-43) from the field, and hit 46.7% (7-15) from three. The Broncs were dominant in the opening quarter, shooting 8-10 from the field and 6-for-7 from three. Siena was held to just 25.8%% (16-62) from the field, and 26.3% (5-19) from deep.
- The Broncs had 12 assists on their 22 made baskets, led by three each from Evans and Toomey.
- The Broncs blocked seven shots in the game.
- Siena forced 25 Rider turnovers in the game, but the Broncs allowed just 12 points off of those miscues.
- Rider out-rebounded the Saints 38-31, but Siena held a 15-5 advantage on the offensive glass. It's just the third time this season the Broncs have out-rebounded their opponent.
 
Up Next
- Rider pauses 10 days for the Christmas holiday, return to action Dec. 30 at home against Niagara.