POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team snapped a four-game skid Saturday night, defeating Marist 60-50 at the McCann Center. Both teams now have identical 6-14 overall records on the season. The Broncs improved to 4-7 in the MAAC, while the Red Foxes fall to 4-8 in league play.
After falling behind 4-0, Rider responded with a 10-2 run, six points by
Lenaejha Evans (Conway, SC/Conway) to take control of the game early. The Broncs led 16-14 after the opening quarter of play.
Tied 16-16 early in the second, the Broncs went on an 11-3 run, including a pair of threes by
Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) and five points by
Anna Ekerstedt (Varberg, Sweden/Marks Gymnasiekola [Broward College]). Rider carried a 27-22 edge into the break.
The Red Foxes continued to cut the Bronc lead to just a single point early in the second half, but back-to-back threes by
Amanda Mobley (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) and Firebaugh kept Marist at bay. Down 33-26, Marist scored eight-straight points to take their first lead since the first quarter. Rider would respond and a 5-0 individual run by
Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep) to close out the quarter had the Broncs ahead 40-35 entering the final ten minutes.
Trailing 42-35, Marist went on a 10-0 run, taking a brief lead on a three by Samantha Bailey. Ekerstedt had the immediate answer, tying the game back up at 45-45 on the next possession. Firebaugh made her fourth three of the game a couple possessions later to put Rider up 49-45, a lead they would not lose. Marist made a three with 47 seconds remaining to make it 54-50, but Rider made free-throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Quotes & Notes
"Our game day goals, when we hit most of them we are going to win more than we lose, and we did that today. We expect Makayla to make shots, and her teammates did a great job setting her up."
"Free throws this time of year are mandatory. We knew we were going to get fouled and our kids had great composure."
"We've been able to practice for a week-straight and it really got us connected both offensively and defensively."
– Head Coach Lynn Milligan
"I say that when my shot isn't falling, I just need to trust myself and keep shooting. You saw that in action today."
"We always need to get rebounds, and credit to our posts for going out and boxing out their posts so the guards can swoop in and grab boards."
– Sophomore guard Makayla Firebaugh
- The Broncs snap a three-game Marist winning streak between the programs. Marist still holds a 46-19 edge in the all-time series.
- Firebaugh tied a career-high with nine rebounds.
- Rider is 5-0 this season when allowing fewer than 60 points.
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 39.5% (17-43) from the field, and was 40.0% (8-20) from three. Marist was held to just 29.8% (14-47) from the field, and just 19.0% (4-21) from deep.
- The Broncs had 13 assists on their 17 made baskets, led by four from Mobley.
- Firebaugh led all scorers with 14, she was joined in double figures by Toussaint, who had 12, and Evans, who scored 11.
- Rider out-rebounded the Red Foxes 33-28, but Marist had a 9-8 edge on the offensive glass.
Up Next
- Rider is back in action Thursday, when it hosts Manhattan at 7 p.m.
