LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team bounced back to defeat Merrimack in the home opener for the Broncs, 61-47 Sunday evening. The Broncs improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Warriors fall to 0-3.
 
After falling behind early 9-2, Rider went on a 9-0 run with a three by Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg), a triple by Taylor Langan (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson Township[Clogate/Millersville]), and an old-fashioned three-point play from Langan. Merrimack would answer with a 7-0 run to close out the quarter, leading 16-11 after one.
 
A free-throw to start the second quarter extended the run to 8-0, the Warriors longest of the game. Down 21-15, Rider closed out the half on a 14-1 run, including eight points by Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) to go into the half up 29-22.
 
Leading 37-31, Rider extended the lead in the third with an 8-0 run, with Langan and Firebaugh each scoring three points. The Broncs carried a 45-34 lead into the fourth.
 
Up 47-38 early in the fourth, Sofie Bruintjes (Zwolle, The Netherlands/CTO Amsterdam), Schiffer, and Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy) each scored buckets to extend the lead to 15. After Merrimack fought within 10 at 55-45, Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/[Casper College]) hit a layup, and Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) and Sanaa Redmond (Philadelphia, PA/The Shipley School[Samford]) both hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 61-45, the Broncs largest of the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
"I thought we were really resilient today. We started to really buy in on the defensive end. I thought we challenged our kids to lock in on defense and we definitely saw the improvements that we worked on tonight."
 
"That's what we expect from [Taylor] and [Makayla]. Taylor was terrific. She's been around and she understands time and pace. She understands who our younger players are and that she can talk to Mick differently than she can talk to Kay. Mick was able to put the ball in the basket a way she hasn't in our first couple games." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"I wasn't performing the way I wanted to the past two games. I just said to myself, 'Calm down Makayla'. That was just running through my mind the whole day, just take my shots."
 
"I think we were all excited to have our home opener. It was just a big energy and it led to what happened today. This team is not comparable to any other team I've had at Rider. It's kind of refreshing that we all come to practice looking to work and looking to get better." – Senior Guard Makayla Firebaugh
 
"I was just looking to get our other teammates open and just happened then when you focus more on moving the ball, you end up getting you shot."
 
"I've been really privileged and lucky to have a team that supports me. They look at me as a leader and I don't take that lightly. I come in ready to work every day and to push our team because I feel like we have a lot of potential." – Graduate Guard Taylor Langan
 
- The game was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The teams will meet more frequently when the Warriors join the MAAC next season.
- Firebaugh led the Broncs with 19 points, her first game in double figures this season.
- In her Rider debut, Langan scored 16 points.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 45.7% (21-46) from the field and 31.3% (5-16) from three. The Warriors shot just 28.3% (17-60) from the field and were 23.8% (5-21) from three.
- The Broncs had 14 assists on their 21 made baskets, led by three each from Redmond and Schiffer.
- Merrimack outrebounded Rider 35-31, with the Warriors holding a 17-5 advantage in offensive boards. Langan grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Broncs.
- Langan also added four steals in the win.
- The Rider defense forced four shot clock violations in the contest.
 
Up Next
- Rider hits the road Wednesday for a game at NJIT beginning at 7 p.m.