LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team committed 32 turnovers Saturday afternoon and dropped a MAAC game at home to Niagara 67-55. The Broncs fall to 5-12 on the season and 2-6 in MAAC play, while the Purple Eagles improve to 7-9 on year and 6-2 in league play.
 
Niagara opened the game hot from behind the arc using a trio of triples to open a 12-4 lead. Rider struggled in the opening frame, committing nine turnovers, but a three pointer from Molly Lynch (Sea Girt, NJ/Rutgers Prep) cut the lead to 14-7 after 10 minutes.
 
The Purple Eagles opened the second quarter strong, extending the lead to 23-12, before a 5-0 Rider run, including buckets by Lynch and Raphaela Toussaint (Kingston, Ontario/Lincoln Prep), whittling the lead back down to six. Niagara responded with a 13-2 run that put the Purple Eagles up 36-20 at the half.
 
Down 42-20, Rider went on a 13-3 run, including six points by Toussaint and a three from Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg[Buffalo]). Later in the third, the Broncs took advantage of Niagara foul trouble, closing the quarter on an 8-1, aided by four made free throws, cutting the deficit to 48-41 after three.
 
The Broncs got as close as 52-46 midway through the fourth, but could not get any closer, as the Purple Eagles had a response for each Bronc basket.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We're disappointed with the loss. We played hard, our effort was there. When we executed, we executed well, but there were 32 times that we didn't, and when you turn the ball over 32 times, it's tough to get a win."
 
"They make you speed up and make some decisions quicker than you're used to, but we also made some mistakes that we're better than."
 
"The difference today was our three pointers. We did a good job finishing around the rim, but we didn't make threes. If we make threes, it's probably a different game." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"I was in my own head, so I just refocused, and tried to go to the next shot. Coach always says Raphie guards Raphie, and just to know my own strength and not shy away from contact." – Junior Forward Raphaela Toussaint
 
- Niagara extends its lead in the all-time series to 30-27, winning their third-straight over the Broncs.
- Toussaint was the lone Bronc in double figures, scoring a season-high 21 points.
- Toussaint has scored in double figures 10 times this season.
- Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) tied a career-high with five assists and added a season-high eight rebounds.
- Lynch tied a career-high with three steals.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 40.8% (20-49) from the field, but just 17.6% (3-17) from three. The Purple Eagles shot 38.5% (25-65) from the floor, and were 27.3% (6-22) from behind the arc.
- Niagara had a 40-31 edge on the glass, with an 18-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Toussaint had nine boards to lead Rider.
- The Broncs had 14 assists on their 20 made baskets led by Firebaugh's five.
- Rider committed 31 turnovers in the game, to just 24 for Niagara. The Purple Eagles translated that into a 33-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Up Next
- Rider is back in action Thursday, when they travel to Iona for a 6 p.m. game.