GAME 16 – Sunday, January 12, 2025
Rider Broncs (4-11, 0-4 MAAC) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles (7-8, 0-4 MAAC)
Location: Niagara University, NY – Gallagher Center
Tip: 12 p.m.
Tickets – GoBroncs.com
Live Video – ESPN+
International Stream – MAAC.TV
Live Audio – 107.7 The Bronc Retro
Live Stats – PurpleEagles.com
X (Formerly Twitter) – Twitter.com/RiderMBB
 
What You Need To Know
- Rider returns to action Sunday, when they conclude the MAAC's Western New York weekend at Niagara.    
- After opening the season at 4-2, the Rider is looking to snap a nine-game losing skid, most recently falling, 85-67, Jan. 10 at Canisius.
- Zion Cruz scored a career-high 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting at Canisius. 
- T.J. Weeks Jr. has been the Broncs' leading scorer, averaging 12.9 points per game. He's scored in double figures 11 times in 14 games played, including a season-high 21 points at Fairfield.
- Rider leads the all-time series with Niagara, 32-26. The Broncs and Purple Eagles have split in each of the last two seasons. Last year, Niagara took a 78-74 victory on Jan. 19 at Alumni Gym, before the Broncs got even with a 71-61 victory on Mar. 1 in Western New York.
- The Purple Eagles have posted a 7-8 overall record, including a 2-2 mark in league play so far in 2024-25. The league wins came vs. Siena (Dec. 6) and Saint Peter's (Jan. 10).
- Niagara features balanced scoring, with four players averaging between 11.1 and 9.6 points per game, and three others averaging 7.0 ppg. or more. Olumide Adelodun leads the group at 11.1 ppg. and 5.3 rpg., while Jahari Williamson has added 10.5 ppg. Jaeden Marshall (10.2 ppg.) and Justice Smith (9.6 ppg., 2.6 apg.) have also made strong contributions.
- The Broncs were picked seventh in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- 13th-year Head Coach Kevin Baggett's teams have posted a 196-194 record. Baggett won MAAC Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018.
- Only John Carpenter (292) has more wins at Rider.