PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated Tuesday night, 71-49, at Saint Joseph's. The game was the season opener for both squads.
 
After the Broncs jumped out to a 4-2 lead on baskets by Sanaa Redmond (Philadelphia, PA/The Shipley School[Samford]) and Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/[Casper College]), the Hawks took control of the game midway through the first with a 10-0 run. A three late in the quarter by Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) trimmed the St. Joe's lead to 14-9 after 10 minutes.
 
The Hawks opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run, extending the lead to 21-9 with 7:12 remaining in the half. The Broncs responded with a three from Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy) followed by a Redmond and-one that cut the lead to 21-15. But St. Joe's would again counter, this time with an 8-0 run and the Hawks took a 31-18 lead into the break.
 
St. Joe's broke the game open in the third, starting the second half on an 18-3 run. The Hawks would lead 53-28 after three quarters.
 
Jessika Schiffer (Iserlohn, Germany/Deutschhaus Gymnasium Würzburg) began to heat up early in the fourth knocking down a trio of triples, but the Hawks matched the output on the other end, maintaining the advantage.   
 
Quotes & Notes
"They obviously have two great bigs and they were both terrific tonight. They're All-Conference players for a reason. Defensively, we just didn't find our rhythm at all. Offensively, I thought we got the looks we wanted, we just didn't hit the shots."
 
"They came out of the locker room with a mission. They punched us right at the beginning of the third quarter and we just never recovered. We will continue to improve every day. They're excited to get back to work tomorrow and ready for our home opener on Sunday." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"We have a better feel for each other than the exhibition for sure. We just have to take the opportunity to keep learning, and we did that tonight."
 
"Once you hit one [shot], and then the second, you just go and it definitely helps your confidence." – Graduate Guard Jessika Schiffer
 
- The Hawks extend their lead in the all-time series to 7-1.
- Schiffer led the Broncs with 15 points. She was joined in double figures by Redmond, who added 11.
- Deveney, Cos-Morales, and Redmond each started in their official Rider debuts. Jamia Blake (Rock Hill, SC/South Pointe[UNC Asheville]), 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 34.6% (18-52) from the field and 44.4% (8-18) from three. The Hawks had 46.6% (27-58) shooting from the field and were 35.5% (6-17) from three.
- The Broncs had 10 assists on their 18 made baskets, led by five from Redmond.
- St. Joe's out-rebounded Rider 39-26, with the Hawks holding a 12-6 edge in offensive boards. Sofie Bruintjes (Zwolle, The Netherlands/CTO Amsterdam) and Cos-Morales both had four rebounds to lead the Broncs.
 
Up Next
- Rider returns home to take on Merrimack for the final time as a non-MAAC foe Sunday at 5 p.m.