LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team was defeated, 68-56, by Quinnipiac Saturday afternoon. The Broncs fall to 2-12 on the season, and 0-5 in MAAC play, while the Bobcats improve to 10-4 on the year, and remain unbeaten at 5-0 in league play.
 
Alena Cofield (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) started hot, scoring Rider's first five points as the Broncs built a quick 7-2 advantage. Two quick threes in response from the Bobcats would give Quinnipiac the lead, and the game would be tied 15-15 at the end of the opening quarter.
 
Trailing 20-15 early in the second, Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) and Cofield hit back-to-back buckets to trim the deficit to one. The Bobcats immediately countered with an 8-2 run, taking a 33-25 advantage into the break.
 
A three by Aina Perez Mesquida (Manacor, Spain/IES CTEIB) early in the third would get Rider to within four, then trailing 39-31, Rider scored five-straight with three from Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]) and two by Deb Okechukwu (Washington, DC/Archbishop Carroll [Harcum CC/CCBC – Essex]). Quinnipiac would begin to slowly pull away after that, leading 52-43 entering the fourth.
 
The Bobcats would have an answer for every Rider bucket in the fourth until down 63-51, Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) found Perez Mesquida for a layup, then McIver hit an open Ekofo, who hit a three to cut the deficit to seven, but the Broncs would get no closer.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We competed with a really good team. We did a lot of good things on both ends of the floor, but they make you pay for any little breakdown on the defensive end. Overall, I'm pleased with our effort for 40 minutes. That first shot for [Alena] going in for her really helped and got her going. She really gave us a boost early." – Head Coach Jackie Hartzell
 
"Once I saw the first shot fall, I just had the confidence to keep shooting, and my teammates and the coaches kept giving me confidence as well. You have to go into a game like this with the idea that you can compete with them, and I think that's what we did." – Freshman Guard Alena Cofield
 
- Quinnipiac's lead in the all-time series is extended to 25-4.
- Cofield scored 12 of her career-high 16 in the first half. It was the second career game for the freshman in double figures
- Ekofo reached double figures for the ninth time this season, finishing with 12.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 40.8% (20-49) from the field, and 42.1% (8-19) from three. The Bobcats shot 45.3% (24-53) from the field and 39.1% (9-23) from three.
- The Broncs had 14 assists on their 20 made baskets, led by four from McIver.
- Quinnipiac held a 36-24 rebounding edge, including a 13-7 advantage on the offensive boards. McIver led Rider with six rebounds.
 
Up Next
The Broncs are back in action Thursday with a trip to Siena for a kid's day out 11 a.m. start.