LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team was dominant Saturday afternoon, defeating Niagara, 79-59, in Alumni Gym. The Broncs improve to 3-11 overall and 1-4 in MAAC play, while the Purple Eagles drop to 1-12 on the season and 0-5 in league play.
 
After falling behind 6-2, the Broncs responded with a 9-0 run, capped by a three from Camryn Collins (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro). Trailing 15-14, the Broncs made a 12-0 run, led by four points from Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest[La Salle/Saint Anselm]), helping Rider take a 26-17 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
 
Niagara remained close, cutting the lead to just 32-26 before back-to-back bucket by Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) and a basket by Emilee Tahata (Springfield, Australia/Woodcrest State College[La Salle]) stretched the lead back out to 12. Niagara would end the half on a 6-0 run to trim the deficit to 42-36 at the half.
 
Leading 42-38 early in the third, Rider again extended the lead with a 16-4 run, getting seven points from Turco. The Broncs would lead 60-45 after three.
 
The Purple Eagles quickly trimmed the lead to 10 early in the fourth, but holding a 65-54 lead, Rider pulled away, with a 12-1 run, with Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/IES Matadepera[Casper College]) chipping in six points as the Broncs secured the victory.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We needed a win. We stuck to our game plan, we were strong in our fundamentals, made some really good extra passes. 23 assists on 27 field goals, we'll take that any night. Defensively, in the second half we were terrific."
 
"Niagara is always going to be top five in the country in forcing turnovers, it's about getting it back. You don't have time to feel bad if you make a turnover, we got to get back and make sure we get the stop." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"My teammates just found me when I was open and I was getting to the rim much easier. Coming off the bench, I was able to see what the game was going to be like, so it allowed me to get a different perspective." – Senior Guard Gabby Turco
 
- Rider ends a six-game Niagara winning streak in the all-time series, but Niagara still leads 33-28 all time.
- Turco scored a season-high 24 points to reach double figures for the ninth time this year.
- Cos-Morales finished with 13 points, her fourth game in double figures this season.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 56.3% (27-48) from the field, and 33.3% (3-9) from three. The Purple Eagles shot 31.6% (18-57) from the field and 15.8% (3-19) from three.
- The Broncs had 23 assists on their 27 made baskets, led by seven from Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains).
- Rider held a 38-25 advantage on the glass, but Niagara held an 8-5 edge in offensive rebounds. Turco had seven boards to lead Rider.
- Sanaa Redmond (Philadelphia, PA/The Shipley School[Samford]) had five steals in the contest.
 
Up Next
Rider takes to the road Thursday for a game at Mount St. Mary's, beginning at 7 p.m.