Box Score FAIRFIELD, CT – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated, 61-59, by Sacred Heart on a basket with 3.6 seconds remaining. The Broncs fall to 2-9 on the season, and 0-2 in MAAC play, while the Pioneers improve to 4-7 on the year, and 2-0 in league play.
 
After the Broncs got a pair of buckets early from Deb Okechukwu (Washington, DC/Archbishop Carroll [Harcum CC/CCBC – Essex]) to build a 4-3 lead, the Pioneers went on a 13-2 run. Rider countered immediately with an 8-2 run, led by five points from Daniya Brown (Fairfax, VA/Bishop O'Connell), and the Pioneers' lead was trimmed to 19-14 after the opening quarter.
 
The Broncs cut the lead to 24-21 on a three by Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) and the game remained close for the remainder of the half until leading 31-28, the Pioneers scored the final four points of the half to go in to the break leading 35-28.
 
The Broncs took control in the third quarter. Rider opened the second half with an 8-3 run, then after a Sacred Heart bucket had the Pioneers up 40-36, when Rider closed the quarter on a 9-0 run. Okechukwu started the run by knocking down a three, then layups from Alena Cofield (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) and Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) gave the Broncs the lead. And put Rider on top 45-40, entering the fourth.
 
 Aina Perez Mesquida (Manacor, Spain/IES CTEIB) extended the run to 11-0 with a bucket to start the fourth, then after a Pioneer basket, she knocked down a corner three to give Rider its largest lead of the game at 50-42. Down 52-44, the Pioneers went on an 8-3 to trim the lead to three. Cofield would score with a layup with 32 seconds remaining to put Rider up 59-54. The Pioneers responded immediately with a three, then after an empty Rider possession at the free throw line, Rider was called for an intentional foul. The Pioneers hit both at the line, then received the ball back, scoring on a second-chance opportunity with 3.6 seconds to play to take the lead. Rider's final attempt would not fall and the Pioneers secured the win.
 
Quotes & Notes
- The all-time series is now tied 2-2.
- Perez Mesquida led the Broncs with 13 points to finish in double figures for the third-straight game.
- McIver added 11 points, reaching double figures for the seventh time this season.
- Okechukwu scored double digits for the fifth time this season, finishing with 11.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 53.3% (24-45) from the field, and 30.8% from three (4-13). The Pioneers shot 36.7% (22-60) from the field and 35.7% (5-14) from three.
- The Broncs had 21 assists on their 24 made baskets, led by five each from Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]) and McIver.
- Rider held a 32-31 rebounding edge, but Sacred Heart held a 16-8 advantage on the offensive boards. Okechukwu led Rider with seven rebounds.
 
Up Next
The Broncs are off for the Christmas holiday, returning to action Dec. 29 on the road at Iona. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.