LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Behind 17 points from freshman
Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy) and 14 points from incoming transfer
Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/[Casper College]), the Rider University women's basketball team defeated TCNJ in an exhibition game Wednesday night.
The Broncs jumped out to an early 10-5 lead, with Deveney scoring seven of Rider's points during the stretch. The Broncs led by as many as six in the opening quarter, and led 15-12 after one.
The Lions fought back early, draining a pair of threes early in the second quarter and taking the lead on a layup to cap an 11-3 run than spanned the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second. The Broncs would regain the lead late in the half and went into the locker room up 26-24.
With Rider leading 28-24, TCNJ outscored the Broncs 10-3 over a five-minute stretch to take a 34-31 lead, their largest of the contest. Down 36-33, the Broncs went on a 7-0 run, including buckets by Deveney, Cos-Morales, and
Jamia Blake (Rock Hill, SC/South Pointe[UNC Asheville]) to retake the lead at 40-36, and closed out the third up 40-38.
Leading 52-48 with just under four minutes to play, Rider went on an 11-0 run, getting baskets by five different players to secure the victory.
Quotes & Notes
"I think we're headed in the right direction. I think all the pieces are there, it's just putting them together. We have got to be healthy, we have a couple kids that are going to play some extended minutes for us that weren't out there today."
"I'm glad that we were challenged. TCNJ does a great job, they always do and that's why we play them. We know they're going to run stuff that's going to cause us problems."
"We got in rhythm [in the second half] because we got stops. When we get stops, we're going to be able to get some looks."
– Head Coach Lynn Milligan
"I just trusted in my team and I was excited to get out there and play with them. I think we played well together. It's definitely a different pace, but I just trust my training to get out there and do what I do."
– Freshman Center Kaylan Deveney
- The Broncs have won all seven exhibitions played between the two schools since the start of the 2016-17 season.
- Three Broncs finished in double figures with Deveney (17), Cos-Morales (14), and Blake (12) all hitting the mark.
- Deveney, Cos-Morales, and
Sanaa Redmond (Philadelphia, PA/The Shipley School[Samford]) each started in their Rider debuts. Blake,
Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains),
Taylor Blunt (Delco, PA/The Peddie School(NJ)[Detroit Mercy]), and
Sam Richardson (Linden, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) also made their first appearances in Rider uniforms.
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 49.0% (25-51) from the field and 33.3% (4-12) from three. The Broncs held the Lions to 38.5% (20-52) shooting from the field and 30.8% (8-26) from three.
- The Broncs had 11 assists on their 25 made baskets, led by three each from Redmond and Cos-Morales.
- Rider out-rebounded TCNJ 35-27, with both sides gathering nine offensive boards.
Sofie Bruintjes (Zwolle, The Netherlands/CTO Amsterdam) had seven rebounds to lead the Broncs and six players finished with three or more rebounds.
- The Rider defense caused 17 turnovers and combined for nine steals.
Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) led the Rider defense with three steals.
Up Next
- Rider opens play in the regular season Tuesday when the Broncs visit Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.
