LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team broke a 57-57 tie with a three by Camryn Collins (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) and held on to defeat Merrimack, 64-61, Thursday night. The Broncs improve to 7-20 overall and 5-13 in MAAC play, while Warriors fall to 12-15 on the season and 8-10 in league play.
 
With Rider leading 60-58, Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest[La Salle/Saint Anselm]) went 4-4 from the line before Merrimack hit a three to make it a one possession game. After forcing a Rider turnover, the Warriors had a chance to tie at the buzzer, but the shot drew iron and the Broncs secured the victory.
 
After Merrimack opened the scoring, Turco drained a three and Jamia Blake (Rock Hill, SC/South Pointe [UNC Asheville]) scored on a layup to give Rider an early advantage. Later leading 7-6, Rider extended the lead with a 7-0 run, led by five points from Winner Bartholomew (Abuja, Nigeria/Day Secondary School Birgi). Down 17-10, the Warriors would respond with a 7-0 run to close out the first quarter and tie the game at 17.
 
Merrimack extended the run to 13-0 with six-straight points to begin the second. Trailing 23-17, it would be the Broncs who would go on a run, outscoring Merrimack 9-2 to regain the lead at 26-25. A late and-one by Jocelyn Chavez (Surprise, AZ/Valley Vista) would send the Broncs to the break with a 29-27 lead.
 
The Warriors would build a 37-31 lead midway through the third quarter before a Turco three started a 6-0 Rider run that would tie the game once again. The Broncs would eventually take the lead at 43-41 after Collins was fouled on a three, and hit all three free throws. Merrimack would come back to lead 48-45 after three.
 
Rider scored five-straight points to take a lead early in the fourth. After the Warriors came back to take a 53-50 advantage, Rider countered with a 7-2, with all seven Rider points coming from Bartholomew. The Warriors would tie the game on a free throw with 55 seconds remaining, setting up the Collins three.
 
Quotes & Notes
"It was a gut check game. It was a game we had to win. It's no secret, we knew the situation we put ourselves in. We still have some control over that. I was really happy with the way we prepared this week. This team wasn't afraid of the challenge before them."
 
"I saw veterans out there. I saw maturity. The Broncs Zoo is a special place and they wear Rider across their chest. It was important they got that remember when moment. In 20 years, they'll be able to say, 'I remember when I won on my senior day.'" – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"The conversation we had after last game was just everything matters. The time is ticking down and putting on a show for our families that always support us. We knew that we needed whatever it took, and I feel like we left it all out there." – Senior Guard Gabby Turco
 
"[My family] watches every game from home, but to have them actually here in the gym and hear their voices when there's pressure in the game. It means a lot. We played a great team game and came out on top." – Senior Forward Mariona Cos-Morales
 
- Rider completes the season sweep and leads the all-time series 3-0.
- Prior to the game, the Broncs honored their five senior team members, Turco, Blake, Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/IES Matadepera [Casper College]), Sanaa Redmond (Philadelphia, PA/The Shipley School[Samford]), and Taylor Blunt (Delco, PA/The Peddie School [Detroit Mercy]).
- Bartholomew led the Broncs with 15 points, her ninth game in double figures this season.
- Turco added 14 points for her 20^th game this season in double figures.
- Collins finished in double figures for the 11^th time this season with 14.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 37.5% (21-56) from the field, and 25.0% from three (3-12). The Warriors shot 38.1% (24-63) from the field and 23.1% (3-13) from three.
- The Broncs had seven assists on their 21 made baskets, led by two each from Turco and Cos-Morales.
- Rider had a 42-35 advantage on the glass, with the Broncs holding a 13-11 edge in offensive rebounds. Cos-Morales led the Broncs with nine rebounds.
 
Up Next
Rider has a key matchup at Canisius next Thursday, who currently holds the final spot in the MAAC Tournament at 6 p.m.