LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's basketball team trailed for less than five of 45 minutes of play, but fell to Quinnipiac, 77-70, in overtime Friday night at Alumni Gym. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 5-9 (1-3 MAAC), while the Bobcats are now 8-6 (3-3 MAAC).

The Broncs came out red hot, making their first four shots and scoring the game's first 12 points. Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College HS) scored seven of the 12 points in the opening run. The Bobcats would gradually whittle away at the Rider advantage until tying the game at 24-24 on a Dezi Jones jumper at the 3:20 mark. Rider would end the half on an 8-2 run, including three-pointers from Powell and Jeremiah Pope (Clinton, NC/Clinton [Brunswick C.C.]) to take a 32-26 edge into the locker room at halftime.

The Bobcats began the second half on a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game. The lead would last for less than two minutes, as Pope's three-pointer at the 15:29 mark tied the game and sparked an 8-0 run and the Broncs retook the lead. The lead swelled to eight on a Dimencio Vaughn (New York, NY/Callaway/The Masters School lay-up with just under six minutes to go in regulation. But Quinnipiac answered with a 10-2 run to tie the game on a Jacob Rigoni three-pointer with 3:28 remaining.

Quinnipiac briefly took a two-point lead with 1:31 remaining on a pair of Brendon McGuire free throws. After Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (Delta State, Nigeria/Monsignor Bonner) misfired on the other end, the Broncs' graduate center came up with a rebound following a Rider defensive stop and was fouled. He drained both free throws with 40 seconds remaining to tie the game at 61-61. Ogemuno-Johnson's big block on Quinnipiac center Kevin Marfo gave Rider the ball with the shot clock off and 14 seconds remaining. However, Pope's look at a three wouldn't fall and the game went to overtime.

The Broncs won the overtime tip and scored on both of their first two possessions. However, Quinnipiac matched each of Rider's shots and later scored seven-straight points to put the game out of reach.

Quotes & Notes
"Execution down the stretch. We were in a rush to do things when we shouldn't. Time and score. We just talked to our guys about it. Our point guard's got to do a better job of executing and getting us in things and not rushing down. But that's all of us. And then we've got to defend better. Have to defend better down the stretch and rebound better. They came up with some loose balls toward the end. It's been our Achilles heel closing games out. We had trouble the last game, but we were able to hang on."  – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- The Broncs hold a 13-7 lead over Quinnipiac in the all-time series. However, the Bobcats swept a weekend series last February in Hamden and have now won three straight against Rider. The win was Quinnipiac's first-ever in Alumni Gym. The Broncs had won the first seven.  
- The Broncs return to action Sunday, when they play host to Saint Peter's. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN3.  

Broncs by the Numbers
- Powell and Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) led the Broncs with 17 points apiece.
- Powell made 7-of-17 attempts from the floor, including 3-of-9 from long range.
- James made 5-of-11 from the floor and all seven of his free-throw attempts. He also grabbed eight rebounds, but fouled out for his sixth time this season.
- Vaughn compiled his third double-double in the last four games overall, including all three MAAC games played. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five assists and two steals.
- Pope scored 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from long range. The 13 points were one off his season and career high of 14 (Nov. 14 vs. Delaware State).
- Ogemuno-Johnson contributed five points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
- Rider had 17 assists, marking the third-straight game with 17 or more dimes.
- Both teams took care of the ball, with Rider committing 11 turnovers and the Bobcats countering with only nine. However, Quinnipiac made the most of the Rider miscues with an 18-5 advantage on points off turnovers.  
- Quinnipiac outshot the Broncs, 40.6 percent (28-69) to 36.8 percent (25-68) from the floor.
- Rider took advantages of 36.4 percent (8-22) to 28.1 percent (9-32) from long range and 92.3 percent (12-13) to 85.7 percent (12-14) from the free-throw line.
- The Bobcats outrebounded the Broncs, 44-40.
- Quinnipiac took a 34-22 edge in points in the paint.