BUFFALO, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team was unable to close out a close game Saturday afternoon on the opening day of MAAC play, falling to Canisius, 74-67. The Broncs fall to 3-7 on the season, while the Golden Griffins improve to 4-6.
 
The Golden Griffins started strong, using an 8-2 start to build the early advantage. Trailing 17-10, Rider fought back with an 11-0 run capped by a jumper from Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh). The Broncs led 23-19 after one.
 
Tied 29-29 midway through the second, Canisius used a 10-3 run to take the lead and held a 39-34 advantage at the break.
 
Rider opened the second half on a 6-0 run to briefly take the lead at 40-39. Down 42-41, Canisius countered with a 9-2 run and led 53-49 at the end of the third.
 
The Broncs fired back in the fourth. Trailing 56-51, Rider got a four-point play from Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) and minutes later a three by Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg[Buffalo]) to tie the game 60-60.
 
Tied again at 62-62, Canisius went on a 5-0 run. The Broncs closed to 69-67 on a Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) triple, but the Broncs would go 0-3 from the field with a pair of turnovers, while the Golden Griffins went 5-for-6 from the line over the final 2:30 to produce the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
"It was a tough game to begin MAAC play on the road. Canisius played great. We had moments of really good play at both ends of the floor, but we didn't finish today. We need to start and finish better than we did today." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan

"We're sharing the ball a lot better. We're running certain plays for certain people, and we're getting those certain people those looks and we're executing off those. We all know our roles, and the connections that we have between each other has us in a good flow."
 
"When times get tough, we separate. We know we need to not do that and get past it and just come together. After this loss, we're going to connect and build off that because we know we need to." – Junior Guard Makayla Firebaugh
 
- The Golden Griffins win snaps a four-game Rider winning streak between the programs and extends their lead in the all-time series to 34-17.
- Firebaugh led all scorers in the game with 23, her seventh game in double figures this season. Toussaint finished in double figures for the sixth time this year, finishing with 13.
- Mobley dished out a career-high 12 assists.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 42.4% (25-59) from the field and 33.3% (6-18) from three. The Golden Griffins shot 46.3% (25-54) from the floor and 29.2% (7-24) from behind the arc.
- Canisius held a 38-28 edge on the glass, with a 10-8 edge in offensive boards. Firebaugh and Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) each had six rebounds to pace the Broncs.
- The Broncs had 18 assists on their 25 made baskets led by Mobley's 12.
 
Up Next
- Rider remains in the Buffalo area when they face Niagara on Monday night at 6 p.m.