LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team won its third-straight game Thursday night, defeating Sacred Heart, 72-57, in Alumni Gym. The Broncs improve to 6-15 overall and 4-8 in MAAC play, while the Pioneers fall to 6-14 on the season and 2-9 in league play.
 
The Broncs jumped out in front early. Tied 7-7, Rider went on a 14-0 run, led by five points from Gabby Turco (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood Crest[La Salle/Saint Anselm]), and capped by a three from Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy). The Broncs would carry a 23-8 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Pioneers would answer back in the second, opening the quarter with a 6-0 run, then trailing 28-18, Sacred Heart took the lead with an 11-0 run. Down 32-30, Turco made a layup and was fouled. She would miss the free throw, but Mariona Cos-Morales (Matadepera, Spain/IES Matadepera [Casper College]) would grab the offensive rebound and Camryn Collins (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) would drain a three to give Rider a 35-32 lead at the half.
 
Rider came out strong again in the third, opening the second half on a 7-0 run, with Winner Bartholomew (Abuja, Nigeria/Day Secondary School Birgi) scoring the first six points during the rally. Once again, the Pioneers had an answer. Trailing 48-35, Sacred Heart went on another 11-0 run, trimming the Rider edge to just 48-46 before Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) converted an old-fashioned three-point play to close out the third quarter.
 
The Broncs would extend the run to 11-0 with eight-straight points to start the fourth quarter, then up 64-52, Rider scored six-straight points to take their largest lead of the game at 70-52 before cruising to the victory.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We want to win our home games. It was all about our defense. I liked our intensity on defense. I liked how we paid attention to personnel, paid attention to the game plan, played every possession with a sense of urgency, and rewarded ourselves on the offensive end."
 
"We want to be aggressive if we can get some stops, and we have players that are good in the open floor that can finish. We've been kicking ourselves, missing some easy buckets, but tonight we shot 60%, so we did a good job of getting to the rim and finishing tonight." – Head Coach Lynn Milligan
 
"We were able to push in transition while getting stops, and we're able to leak out as guards. We just value each possession and take it as it comes." – Freshman Guard Camryn Collins
 
- Rider earns its first win in the series history with the Pioneers now leading the all-time series 2-1.
- Bartholomew tied a career-high with 17 points, her fourth time in double figures this year.
- Collins reached double figures for the ninth time this year tying a career-high with 15.
- Turco scored 16 points to reach double figures for the 16^th time this year, and eighth game in a row.
- Cos-Morales scored 12 points, her fifth time reaching double digits this season.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot a season-best 60.4% (32-53) from the field, and 36.4% (4-11) from three. The Pioneers shot 37.9% (22-58) from the field and 38.9% (7-18) from three.
- The Broncs had 22 assists on their 32 made baskets, led by five from McIver.
- Rider had a 38-31 advantage on the glass, but the Pioneers held a 10-6 edge in offensive rebounds. Cos-Morales led the Broncs with eight rebounds.
- Cos-Morales had five steals and two blocks to lead the defensive effort.
 
Up Next
Rider is back on the road Saturday with game at Siena. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.