LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Freshman guard Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) scored a game-high 19 points, but it was not enough as the Rider University women's basketball team lost at home to Niagara, 65-59, on Saturday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.
 
The Broncs (5-17, 4-13 MAAC) dopped their third contest in a row, while the Purple Eagles (2-3, 2-3 MAAC) snapped a two-game skid as they played their first game since January 23.
 
The two teams went back-and-forth throughout much of the first half before a 10-0 Niagara run gave them a seven-point lead late in the second quarter. The Broncs would whittle the deficit down to three at the break, but Rider would never regain the lead.
 
The Broncs outscored the Purples Eagles, 12-11, in the third quarter to enter the fourth down by two at 42-40. The fourth quarter saw runs from both teams. Niagara opened the final stanza on a 8-0 run before the Broncs countered with an 10-2 run of their own to pull within two at 52-50 following a jumper from Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) with under four minutes to play.
 
Niagara countered with an 8-0 surge to lead by 10 at 60-50 with 90 seconds left in regulation. Rider battled down the stretch, but the Purple Eagles knocked down their free throws to escape with the win.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"We are disappointed that we didn't get it done on our home floor today. We had too many mistakes that cost us in the end. We are going to have to be better tomorrow. There were plays on both ends of the floor that we'd like back, but we'll make the right adjustments and be ready to go tomorrow." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

- The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Rider against Niagara.
- It was Niagara first win in Lawrenceville since January of 2016.
- Rider was 3-of-19 from three-point range.   
- The Broncs had 19 assists on 24 made field goals. It was the Rider's third game with 17 or more assists this year.
- Rider was 8-of-9 at the free-throw line.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Makayla Firebaugh had 19 points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist. She shot over 57 percent (8-of-14) from the field.
- Maya Hyacienth poured in 14 points to go along with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- Raphaela Toussaint had nine points and six rebounds.
- Victoria Toomey had four blocked shots and grabbed six rebounds. It was her fourth game with four or more blocks this season.
- Amanda Mobley dished out eight assists. It was her second conference game with eight of more dimes this year.
 
UP NEXT
Rider closes out the season with a home game on Sunday, February 14.