LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team used a 13-2 run midway through the second quarter to take a double-digit lead and a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away from TCNJ for a 70-45 win in an exhibition game Wednesday night.
 
Leading 20-16 early in the second, ToniRenee Blanford (Montclair, NJ/The Patrick School[Union College]) knocked down a jumper that kick-started the 13-2 rally. The Broncs were 6-for-8 during the run with five different players scoring. The Broncs led 35-21 at the half.
 
The Lions began to heat up early in the third quarter, knocking down a trio of three-pointers, but Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg [Buffalo]) had two threes of her own and assisted on a bucket by Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) over the span to keep Rider on top by double digits. Rider would lead 52-37 after three.
 
Two early layups by Blanford in the fourth had Rider up 56-39, but a TCNJ three cut the lead to 14 before the Broncs pulled away with the 14-2 run that nearly closed out the game.
 
Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) had her shot going from the opening tip, nailing triples on back-to-back possessions to open the game. TCNJ responded with a 12-3 run for what would be their lone lead of the game. The Broncs closed out the opening quarter on a 9-0 run, including a 4-for-4 performance at the line by Maya Hyacienth (Nottingham, United Kingdom/City of London Academy) to lead 18-12 after 10 minutes.
 
 
Quotes & Notes
"I was pleased with our effort and a lot of the stuff we did tonight. I think there's some things that we need to continue to work on. But I was happy with our response to some things and how we got some things back."
 
"Everybody got to put the uniform on. Everybody got a run. We came out healthy. TCNJ did a great job running their stuff and their a veteran team. We executed pretty well for this early in the season."
 
"Our offensive philosophy is give up the shot you can make for the shot we can't miss and we did that tonight." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"A lot of the guards, we can shoot threes. Especially with Jess, Maya, me, Molly, if we're open, we're going to knock down shots. We're a veteran team and we all know how to score, and I think anybody can have a night."
 
"I didn't really have the season I wanted last year as everyone knows, and for that reason, I have that chip on my shoulder this season." – Junior Guard Makayla Firebaugh
 
"It's a great feeling. As practice has been going on, I've felt more comfortable. I know my teammates and my coaches have my back. I don't have everything figured out yet, but instilling that trust in them and them instilling that same trust in me definitely made it easier for me."
 
"Coach believes in me and I know what I can bring to the table and that's the goal. Every day, every game is to get to or at least close to 6-for-6." – Junior Forward ToniRenee Blanford
 
- The Broncs have won all six exhibitions played between the two schools since the start of the 2016-17 season.
- Four Broncs finished in double figures with Firebaugh (16), Blanford (14), Toussaint (12), and Schiffer (11) all hitting the mark.
- Firebaugh hit four threes in the game and Schiffer knocked down three. The duo finished one-two in the MAAC last season with 67 and 66 made threes. Rider made 6.3 threes per game last season.
- Blanford, Daja Wentz (Bronx, NY/Monsignor Scanlan[Monroe College]), and Madison Johnson (West Orange, NJ/Union Catholic) made their first appearances in Rider uniforms.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 50.0% (26-52) from the field and 40.0% (8-20) from three. The Broncs held the Lions to 32.1% (17-53) shooting from the field and 28.0% (7-25) from three.
- The Broncs had 18 assists on their 26 made baskets, led by five from Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) and three by Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore).
- TCNJ outrebounded Rider 34-33, including an 11-7 edge on the offensive glass. Molly Lynch (Sea Girt, NJ/Rutgers Prep) had five boards to lead the Broncs and eight Broncs totaled three or more board on the night.
- The Rider defense caused 14 turnovers and combined for 11 steals. Hyacienth and Blanford led the way with three steals each.
 
Up Next
- Rider opens play in the regular season Monday when the Broncs host NJIT at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will be retiring no. 4 in honor of Stella Johnson.