LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team dropped a tight game Thursday night in Alumni Gym, falling 65-60 to Iona. The Broncs drop to 6-17 overall and 4-10 in MAAC play, while the Gaels improve to 10-14 on the season and 8-6 in league play.
 
With Rider leading 4-3, Iona scored six-straight points and maintained a lead throughout the opening quarter, holding a 17-11 advantage through the opening 10 minutes.
 
After a three by Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest[La Salle/Saint Anselm]) trimmed the lead to 20-17, Iona extended the lead to double digits with three-straight three pointers. The Gaels led 41-27 at the half.
 
Trailing 43-29, Rider went on an 11-0 run, getting five points from Turco, four from Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains), and two from Camryn Collins (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro). Down 46-40, Winner Bartholomew (Abuja, Nigeria/Day Secondary School Birgi) hit back-to-back buckets before Emilee Tahata (Springfield, Australia/Woodcrest State College[La Salle]) hit a pair of free throws to tie the score at 46-46 entering the fourth.
 
The Broncs took their first lead since the first quarter on a Turco bucket to start the fourth. Both sides traded blows until tied 58-58, Iona got a bucket, forced a turnover, then hit a pair of free throws to go up 62-58. The Broncs would get a Turco basket to get to 62-60, but Rider would get no closer.
 
Quotes & Notes
"A tough loss, obviously we dug ourselves a hole in the first half. We did a great job coming back, tying the game. It was a game that was in our hands, and we let it slip away. We've got to learn some hard lessons from this and bounce back Saturday."
 
"Our defensive intensity wasn't where it needed to be in that first half. We made a couple adjustments on how we wanted to guard certain things. We came all the way back, took a lead and just weren't able to finish it out." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"I think that from the last game we played against them, I had a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted to show up for my teammates. They did a good job getting me open on screens and finding me in my spots." – Senior Guard Gabby Turco
 
"We were more connected in the second half. Communication was the big thing for us. We decided to come out this game and bring our best and that was basically it, playing as a team." – Freshman Forward Winner Bartholomew
 
- Iona earns the regular season sweep and leads the all-time series 36-27.
- Turco led all scorers in the game with 22 points, reaching double figures for the 17^th time this season.
- Bartholomew added 15 points, her sixth time in double figures this year.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 51.0% (25-49) from the field, and 25.0% (3-12) from three. The Gaels shot 46.0% (23-50) from the field and 45.0% (9-20) from three.
- The Broncs had 15 assists on their 25 made baskets, led by five from McIver.
- Rider had a 33-20 advantage on the glass, including a 9-4 edge in offensive rebounds. Turco led the Broncs with seven rebounds.
- Collins had three steals to lead Rider defensively.
 
Up Next
Rider hosts Saint Peter's at 1 p.m. Saturday as part of the Broncs' celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.