FAIRFAX, VA – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated, 72-54, on the road at George Mason Tuesday night. The Broncs fall to 1-5 on the season, while the Patriots improve to 5-2 on the year.
 
The Broncs opened the game strong with threes by Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) and Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) staking the Broncs a 6-0 lead. The teams would swap baskets for the remainder of the quarter with the Broncs maintaining a 14-9 advantage after the opening 10 minutes.
 
With Rider up 18-14 early in the second, the Patriots responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead. Down 26-20, Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]) scored four-straight points, but George Mason scored the final four points of the second and held a 35-29 lead at the halftime break.
 
The Patriots opened the third with seven-straight points, extending the run to 11-0, before McIver scored five-straight points to counter the run. Rider got back within seven at 44-37 on a three from Roach, but the Patriots led 51-42 entering the fourth.
 
Leading 54-45, the Patriots pulled away with a 9-0 run early in the fourth, and the Broncs were unable to recover.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Tuesday's game was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
- Roach led Rider with a career-high 14 points, scoring in double figures for the third time this season. She also tied a career-high with eight rebounds.
- McIver finished with 13 points, scoring in double digits for the fifth time this year.
- Daniya Brown (Fairfax, VA/Bishop O'Connell) scored a career-high six points off the bench.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 38.2% (21-55) from the field, and 38.5% from three (10-26). The Patriots shot 37.9% (25-66) from the field and 40.0% (10-25) from three.
- The Broncs had 15 assists on their 21 made baskets, led by four each from McIver and Ekofo.
- George Mason held a 41-38 rebounding edge, including an 11-6 advantage on the offensive glass. Roach's eight rebounds led the Broncs.