RIVERDALE, NY – The Rider University men's basketball team shattered multiple program single-game records in cruising to a 104-62 road win at Manhattan Sunday afternoon at Draddy Gym. Rider (10-16, 7-8 MAAC) had a program-record 32 assists and shot 76.4 percent (42-55) from the floor, also a program single-game best. Manhattan drops to 5-19 (2-13 MAAC) with the setback.

The Broncs scored the game's first eight points and 23 of the first 28 and never looked back. The lead continued to swell to the halftime advantage of 24, 50-26, on a Corey McKeithan (Windsor, CT/Windsor) three-pointer on the Broncs' final possession of the period. Rider shot 69.0 percent (20-29) in the first 20 minutes, including 7-of-11 (63.6 percent) from long range. Eight of nine Broncs to get onto the court scored, led by Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College H.S.) with 10 on 4-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-3 from deep. The Broncs had 17 assists on 20 made baskets, including five each from Powell and McKeithan and four from Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]).

Rider would keep its foot on the gas in the second, shooting an unconscious 84.6 percent (22-26) from the floor. The Broncs' lead continued to swell until the final 104-62 margin. 11 of 13 players to take the floor scored for Rider, including five in double figures, led by James' 20.

Quotes & Notes
(On the big performance) "I just saw it down the stretch in the last game. Start playing better, some guys off the bench started playing together and just, you're starting to see the fruits of your labor, so to speak. Some of the guys who hadn't been playing are starting to play and have gotten better. It's great to see."

(On program-record 32 assists) "Love it. We've been telling our guys, 'the more you can share the ball, the harder we are to guard.' We talk about moving the ball, four passes or better, you break the defense down and you can get whatever shot you want. Those are examples of the things that we've been talking about as coaches." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- Rider leads the all-time series with Manhattan, 39-26. The Broncs have won the last five, including a regular-season sweep this year (71-58 win on Jan. 12 in Lawrenceville). Rider is 18-8 against Manhattan under Head Coach Kevin Baggett with a 7-6 mark at Draddy Gym.
- Rider is now 8-2 this season when leading at the half.
- The 42-point margin of victory is the Broncs' second-greatest of the season (46, vs. Immaculata, Nov. 6) and the greatest vs. a Division I program (41, vs. Siena, Feb. 2).
- The Broncs' 104 points are the second-most of the season (113, vs. Immaculata, Nov. 6) and the most against a Division I program since they scored 104 at Niagara on Jan. 13, 2019.
- With the win, Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett moved into a tie for second all-time in school men's basketball history (Thomas Leyden, 187 wins, 1940-42, 1946-60).    
- Rider moved to 4-12 on the road this season, including a 3-5 mark in league play.  
- Rider led wire-to-wire for the first time since Dec. 20, 2021, against Gwynedd-Mercy and never trailed in a game for the first time since a 67-56 win, also at Manhattan, on Feb. 5, 2023.

Broncs by the Numbers
- James scored a team-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including a conversion on his only three-point attempt and only free-throw attempt. He matched his career high with five assists and grabbed three rebounds.
- Powell added 15 points on 6-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from long range. He added a career-high eight assists.
- McKeithan added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor, 3-of-4 from long range, and a conversion on his only free-throw attempt. He matched Powell's eight assists, also matching his career-high, accomplished twice in his time at Rider.
- DJ Dudley (San Diego, CA/LA Premier Prep) added 11 points off the bench on 5-for-5 from the floor and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line. He dished out a season-high five assists.
- Ruben Rodriguez (Reading, PA/Reading) scored a season-high 10 points on 3-for-3 from the floor, 2-for-2 from long range, and 2-for-3 from the free-throw line.
- Tariq Ingraham (Philadelphia, PA/Bonner-Prendergast [Wake Forest]) added eight points, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
- T.J. Weeks Jr. (Warwick, RI/Bishop Hendricken Catholic [UMass]) added eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
- JT Langston Jr. (Fort Wayne, IN/San Gabriel Academy [East Los Angeles College]) added nine points and a team-best two blocked shots.
- The Broncs shot a program-record 76.4 percent (42-55) while holding the Jaspers to 34.9 percent (22-63).
- Rider took a 73.3 percent (11-15) to 36.0 percent (9-25) edge from long range and an 81.8 percent (9-11) to 75.0 percent (9-12) edge from the free-throw line.
- The Broncs outrebounded Manhattan, 33-24. The Jaspers took a 13-4 edge in offensive rebounds. However, it was a losing battle for the Broncs, who only missed 13 shots for the game.
- Rider took a 48-26 edge in points in the paint.
- Rider's bench outscored that of Manhattan, 39-22.
- The Broncs took a 19-10 advantage in fast-break points.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, Feb. 23, when they play host to Iona. Tip-off from Alumni Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.