LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated by Siena, 82-44, Thursday night. The Saints improve to 4-10 overall and 4-2 in MAAC play, while the Broncs fall to 5-12 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
 
The Saints came out hot early, securing a 9-2 lead on the back of five early points by Anja Knoflach. Down 17-7, Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) beat the first-quarter buzzer from behind the arc to cut the deficit back to seven after the opening ten minutes.
 
Rider fought back early in the second. Down 19-12, Rider scored 10-straight points to take their first lead of the game on an and-one layup by Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway). After Rider's run, Siena answered with a 19-2 rally to close out the half to enter the break leading 38-24.
 
Siena continued to pull away in the third. The Saints started 7-for-7 from the field in the quarter, on their way to building a 64-31 lead with 10 minutes to play.
 
The lead grew as large as 40 in the fourth on the way to the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
 
"All the credit to Siena. They played a great game tonight and we did not."
 
"Anna is a great rim protector for us. She does a great job at keeping her hands up. You want to get blocks, and you want to get possession after those blocks, which is the next step." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- Siena extends its lead in the all-time series to 36-17. The teams split their season series this year.
- Anna Ekerstedt (Varberg, Sweden/Marks Gymnasieskola [Broward College]) had five blocks, giving her 11 over the past two games.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot just 26.8% (15-56) from the field, and was 18.8% (3-16) from three. Siena was 46.5% (33-71) from the field, and 40.0% (8-20) from deep.
- The Broncs had six assists on their 22 made baskets.
- Firebaugh led Rider with 12 points, the lone Bronc in double figures.
- The Broncs blocked eight shots in the game.
- Siena out-rebounded Rider 53-29, including a 19-7 edge on the offensive glass.
 
Up Next
- Rider is off until next Thursday when the Broncs travel to in-state rival Monmouth for a 7 p.m. tip.