JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team got a key conference win Thursday night, defeating Saint Peter's 57-52. The Broncs improve to 4-15 overall and 2-8 in MAAC play, while the Peacocks drop to 6-12 on the season and 4-5 in league play.
 
Both teams started hot from the field with the Broncs taking a quick 6-0 lead on back-to-back threes from Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest[La Salle/Saint Anselm]) and Camryn Collins (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro). The Peacocks would quickly tie the game with a pair of threes of their own. The Peacocks would take a 19-16 lead after the opening quarter.
 
After a Turco three made it 22-21 Saint Peter's with 5:15 to go in the second, the Peacocks outscored the Broncs 8-4 over the remainder of the half to go into the locker room with a 30-25 lead.
 
Down 34-27, Rider went on an 8-0 run capped by another three from Turco to give the Broncs their first lead since the opening quarter, but the Peacocks would fire back and take a 38-35 lead into the fourth.
 
After trading buckets early in the fourth, the Broncs secured the lead on Turco's fourth three of the contest. Leading 48-47, Collins was fouled on a three-point attempt, then McIver made a layup and the Broncs held on to secure the victory.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We did a great job with our scout. We did a good job honing in on our defensive fundamentals and our details. We certainly had our breakdowns, but we were really keyed in on what we wanted to do defensively and for the most part we were able to do that."
 
"We're in the gym enough where these young ladies know that when they're open they have to shoot, and they're expected to make it. A lot of them stepped up to make some big shots today, and that's what it's about. We're going in to February, we're on the road, and you have to step up and make some shots, and everybody did that." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"At the season comes to a close, we're getting in a groove. My teammates are finding me and I'm a little more confident with my shot. It's getting those reps to translate into the game."
 
"Our bigs played really good. Our game plan was to take [Janneh] out and limit everyone else's touches. Credit to Emmy, credit to Hata, credit to Nona, credit to Winnie, credit to Kay. Everyone stepped up in the big position to shut her down." – Senior Guard Gabby Turco
 
 
- Rider trims Saint Peter's lead in the all-time series to 49-30.
- Turco scored a team-high 16 points to reach double figures for the 14^th time this year.
- Collins reached double figures for the seventh time this year with 13.
- Saint Peter's Fatmata Janneh, the MAAC's leading scorer entering the game at 18.7 points per game, was held to just seven points on 3-10 shooting.
- This was Rider's first conference game this season decided by five points or less.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 48.8% (21-43) from the field, and 27.8% (5-18) from three. The Peacocks shot 33.3% (17-51) from the field and 13.6% (3-22) from three.
- The Broncs had 11 assists on their 21 made baskets, led by five from Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains).
- Rider had a 34-29 advantage on the glass, but Saint Peter's held a 10-8 edge in offensive rebounds. McIver and Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/IES Matadepera) led the Broncs with six rebounds each.
 
Up Next
Rider is back in action Saturday to face Merrimack for the first time as a conference opponent. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m. contest.