RIVERDALE, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team led by as many as 23 points at Manhattan Thursday night, but a furious comeback by the Jaspers ended with a 63-58 Manhattan victory. The Broncs fall to 3-9 on the season and 1-2 in MAAC competition. With the victory, the Jaspers improve to 7-5 on the year and 2-1 in conference games.                               
 
Trailing 49-32 entering the fourth, Manhattan went on a 17-2 run over the first seven minutes of the quarter. After a bucket by Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway) gave Rider a 55-52 lead, reigning All-MAAC selection Dee Dee Davis heaved up a prayer from 30 feet that banked in and tied the score with 1:11 remaining and the Broncs would never lead again. Despite not attempting another field goal in the game, the Jaspers went 8-for-10 from the line down the stretch to earn the win.
 
The Broncs got off to a quick start. Tied 4-4, Anna Ekerstedt (Varberg, Sweden/Marks Gymnasieskola [Broward College]) and Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzberg [Buffalo]) knocked down triples to give Rider a six-point lead. Up 10-8 later in the quarter, Rider used a 7-1 run, capped by another Schiffer three that helped the Broncs end the opening ten minutes leading 17-10.
 
In the second, Rider stayed hot, starting 5-for-8 from the field and extending the lead to 13. The Broncs' lead swelled as large as 16 before a 5-0 run by the Jaspers ended the half, but Rider still maintained a 33-22 advantage at the break.
 
Rider extended the lead in the third. Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) scored five-straight point as part of a 7-0 to begin the quarter and Rider pushed the lead as high as 23 with 2:56 remaining in the quarter. From that point, Manhattan began the comeback. Manhattan outscored Rider 8-2 in the remainder of the quarter, setting up the decisive fourth.
 
Quotes & Notes
 
"It's just something we need to work on. It's really bearing down on those last 10 minutes and especially those last five, coming out of the final media timeout. You have to play defense and you have to rebound." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan on playing a full 40 minutes
 
"Anna's done a good job of sticking to her strengths and focusing on what she's good at. She's a rim protector and can knock down that base line jumper. She's playing within herself and doing a great job."
 
"We're putting an emphasis on rebounding and the kids are buying in. You could see it at the beginning of the game tonight, but when the game is on the line, you need to come up with a stop and a rebound and we didn't do that tonight." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"You just need to have your hands up, focus on not fouling, and go for the ball." – Junior Forward Anna Ekerstedt on the Broncs leading the MAAC in blocks
 
"We've been preparing for a while for this. We came out and did our jobs. Unfortunately, we did not play a full 40 and we need to do that in the future. We need to have a tougher mindset." – Junior Forward Anna Ekerstedt
 
- Manhattan extends its lead in the all-time series to 33-20. The Jaspers have now won the last three meetings after sweeping the series last season.
- Ekerstedt went 5-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-2 from distance, to score a career-high 12 points.
- Ekerstedt also had a career-high four blocks, and the Broncs, who lead the MAAC in blocks, finished with six.
- Molly Lynch (Sea Girt, NJ/Rutgers Prep) had a career-high three assists off the bench.
- Evans led the Broncs with 14 points, her sixth time leading Rider this season
- Evans finished in double figures for the 11th time in 12 games this season.
- The 31 points allowed in the fourth quarter are the most allowed by the Broncs in a period this season.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 41.4% (24-58) from the field, and hit 34.8% (8-23) from three. Manhattan was held to just 28.6% (20-70) from the field, and 32.0% (8-25) from deep.
- The Broncs had 16 assists on their 24 made baskets, led by six from Schiffer.
- Manhattan held a 48-40 rebounding advantage in the game, including a 19-8 edge on the offensive glass. This was magnified in the fourth, with Manhattan out-rebounding the Broncs 15-5.
 
Up Next
- Rider is back in action in Alumni Gym on Saturday, when the Broncs host Fairfield at 7 p.m.