WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated by Monmouth University, 52-36, Thursday night. The Broncs fall to 1-6 on the season, while the Hawks improve to 3-6.
 
The Broncs got early baskets from Emilee Tahata (Springfield, Australia/Woodcrest State College[La Salle]) and Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/IES Matadepera[Casper College]), but already leading 8-4, Monmouth ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run.
 
In the second, the Hawks would extend the lead to as large as 20 at 27-7. The Broncs would close out the half on a 7-1 run capped by a banked three from Taylor Blunt (Delco, PA/The Peddie School (NJ)[Detroit-Mercy]) to trim the lead to 28-14 at the half.
 
Down 32-14 early in the third, Rider went on a 9-1 run, including an old-fashioned three-point play by Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) and four points from Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest [La Salle/Saint Anselm]). The Broncs would pull to within nine at 35-26 on another Blunt three as Monmouth led after three, 37-26.
 
Baskets by Turco and Winner Bartholomew (Abuja, Nigeria/Day Secondary School Birgi) trimmed the deficit to just 37-30, the closest the Broncs would get in the second half, but Monmouth countered with a 12-2 run that put the game out of reach.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We had a rough start. I think with some of the adversity and injuries, we played better as the game went on. We didn't shoot the ball well, and our flow was a little off. Defensively we were ok, and we didn't turn the ball over, but we just didn't make shots at a time when we needed it to be better." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
- The Hawks extend their lead in the all-time series to 32-24.
- Jamia Blake (Rock Hill, SC/South Pointe (UNC Asheville) made her first start in a Rider uniform in the contest.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 27.6% (16-58) from the field, and 10.0% (2-20) from three. The Hawks shot 33.3% (19-57) from the field and 26.1% (6-23) from three.
- The Broncs had 11 assists on their 16 made baskets, led by four from McIver.
- Monmouth outrebounded Rider 49-36, including a 14-8 edge in offensive boards. McIver and Turco each had five rebounds to lead the Broncs.
 
Up Next
Rider returns home for the first time in over 20 days on Sunday when the Broncs host FDU at 2 p.m.