NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team led 63-62 with 3:28 remaining, but a 9-0 run by Niagara from that point was too much to overcome in a 74-67 setback Monday night. The Broncs fall to 3-8 on the season, including an 0-2 mark in conference play, while the Purple Eagles improve to 2-8 on the year and 1-1 in MAAC play.
 
Down 3-0, then again 10-8, the Broncs used a pair of 5-0 runs to stay in the game. This first on a bucket by Victoria Toomey (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) followed by a triple from Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg[Buffalo]) and the second courtesy of a Molly Lynch (Sea Girt, NJ/Rutgers Prep) triple followed by a fast-break layup by Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh). The teams were tied 15-15 after the opening 10 minutes.
 
Leading 20-19, the Purple Eagles hit back-to-back threes to build a seven-point advantage. The Broncs countered with a 7-0 run, getting five points and an assist from Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) during the rally, but Niagara closed out the half on a 10-2 run to go into the break ahead 36-28.
 
Down 51-45 late in the third, Rider scored four-straight to cut the lead to just two, but the two free throws by Niagara gave the Purple Eagles a 53-49 lead after three.
 
The momentum carried over into the fourth as the free throws sparked a 9-0 run that spanned the two quarters. Down 60-49, Rider went on a 14-2 run, including six points from Schiffer and four from Emily Strunk (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) to take the 63-62 lead that led to the final sequence.
 
Quotes & Notes
"Credit them, they stepped up and made big shots. That being said, we took the lead 63-62. We had some untimely turnovers and fouls. We didn't get the big stop, and we didn't get the big score."
 
"We have to continue to work. I'm going to make sure that I'm putting everybody in the most successful situations, and that we keep sticking to our principles."
 
"Amanda is the consummate point guard. She wants to put her teammates in successful situations and she would rather set up a pass, than take a shot. It's rare these days, but that's what she is. She wants to lead this team, and she wants to be better. She's got a lot of games left to play, and a lot of work left to do." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"We weren't really ready for the pressure, even though we talked about it. We just need to be ready when we work on something for specific teams, especially in the MAAC."
 
"I honestly had no idea [I passed Stella]. I don't pay attention to the stats, but just hearing that is cool. Stella's amazing, so just being on any list the same as her is an honor." – Graduate Guard Amanda Mobley
 
- Niagara extends its lead in the all-time series to 29-27, winning their second-straight over the Broncs.
- Mobley recorded nine assists, giving her 436 for her career, and moving her past Stella Johnson '20 for third in program history. Second all-time is Lisa Federici '84, who finished with 504. Mobley also moved into the top ten in program history by playing in her 116^th career game.
- Schiffer led the Broncs with 14 points, her fourth time in double figures this season. Firebaugh reached double digits for the eighth time this year, finishing with 12.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 53.5% (23-43) from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from three. The Purple Eagles shot just 39.3% (22-56) from the floor, but were 57.9% (11-19) from behind the arc.
- Niagara had a 25-23 edge on the glass, with a 13-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) and Toomey each had five boards to lead Rider.
- The Broncs had 19 assists on their 23 made baskets led by Mobley's nine.
- Rider committed 25 turnovers in the game, to just 15 for Niagara. The Purple Eagles translated that into a 27-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Up Next
- Rider is off for the Christmas holiday before returning to action Dec. 29 at home against Siena.