LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University senior forward Babacar Diene (Thies, Senegal/CEM Ballabey) has been selected MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, the league office today announced. Diene had a natural hat trick and added an assist in the Broncs' 4-1 regular-season-capping victory over Saint Peter's on Wednesday.

The goals gave him a team-high 10 goals prior to his 11th in the MAAC Quarterfinals Sunday and the assist pushed his point total to 23, also a team high, before the point total grew to 25 on Sunday. The hat trick was the first by a Bronc in more than nine years. The last Bronc to achieve the feat was Zach Bond on Oct. 22, 2014, also against Saint Peter's, while the last time a Bronc had as many as seven points in a single game came exactly 21 years ago Wednesday, when Sandro DeCristofaro had a hat trick and an assist at Iona on Nov. 1, 2002. Earlier today, Diene was named to the All-MAAC First Team, with his 11 goals ranking second in the league.

The Broncs return to action Thursday, when they travel to Loudonville, NY, to take on second-seeded Siena in the MAAC Semifinals. Kickoff from Hickey Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.