DUBLIN, IRELAND – Dwight Murray, Jr. (Austell, GA/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) scored a game-high 17 points, but the Rider University men's basketball team fell to Stetson, 78-68, on the opening day of the MAAC/ASUN Dublin Basketball Challenge Friday morning. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 1-2, while the Hatters are now 3-0.

Rider scored the game's first four points on buckets inside from Tariq Ingraham (Philadelphia, PA/Bonner-Prendergast [Wake Forest]) and Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]). But Stetson responded with a 10-0 run to surge ahead, 10-4. The Broncs countered with a 9-2 run to retake the lead, 13-10, including consecutive Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College HS) buckets to cap the run. But Stetson would surge ahead and extend its lead to its largest point of the half, 37-27, at the break.

The Hatters' advantage swelled to as many as 16 points at the 13:36 mark of the second half. The Broncs drew to within five on three occasions, but could get no closer.

Notes
- Rider and Stetson were squaring off for the first time since 1993. The Hatters now own a 3-1 lead in the all-time series.
- Rider played without starting center Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (Delta State, Nigeria/Bonner-Prendergast), who did not travel to Ireland due to visa issues. His high school teammate, Ingraham, made the start in his place.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Murray scored 17 or more points for the third-straight game to open the season. He made 7-of-19 attempts, including 2-of-5 from long range, and added six rebounds and three assists.
- Ingraham scored a season-high 12 points and added seven rebounds. He made 4-of-8 field-goal attempts and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.
- Allen Betrand (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic [Towson/Rhode Island]) and James chipped in with 11 points apiece. James also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
- Powell had nine points and a team-high five assists.
- Tyrel Bladen (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) went 2-for-2 from the floor and is now 8-for-8 shooting on the season.
- Stetson outshot the Broncs, 42.2 percent (27-64) to 37.3 percent (25-67) from the floor, including a 41.4 percent (12-29) to 28.6 percent (6-21) edge from long range.
- The Broncs made 12-of-16 (75.0 percent) free-throw attempts to the Hatters' 12-of-20 (60.0 percent).
- Stetson took a 45-39 edge on the glass.
- The Hatters' bench outscored Rider's, 27-8.
- A cleanly-played game, Rider committed just six turnovers to the Hatters' seven. 

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, when they wrap up MAAC/ASUN Dublin Challenge action against Central Arkansas. Tip-off from National Basketball Arena in Dublin, Ireland is set for 6 a.m. (ET)/11 a.m. (GMT) on ESPN+.