LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Despite the first career double-double for
Alena Cofield (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy), the Rider University women's basketball team was defeated by Saint Peter's, 42-40, Thursday night. The Broncs drop to 5-19 on the season, and 3-12 in MAAC play, while the Peacocks improve to 7-17 on the year, and 6-9 in league play.
Leading 7-6 midway through the first, a layup by
Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) and three-straight points by
Deb Okechukwu (Washington, DC/Archbishop Carroll[CCBC-Essex/Harcum CC]) put Rider up 12-6 and the Broncs held a 12-9 lead at the end of the first.
Up 15-12 in the second, Cofield and
Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) both scored to extend the lead to 19-12, the Broncs' largest of the game. Saint Peter's would counter with an 8-0 run to take the lead, but a 6-0 run by the Broncs, getting buckets from
Daniya Brown (Fairfax, VA/Bishop O'Connell), Okechukwu, and
Aina Perez Mesquida (Manacor, Spain/IES CTEIB) gave Rider a 25-20 halftime lead.
With Rider up 26-20 early in the third, Saint Peter's captured the lead with another 8-0 run and the Broncs would be held without a field goal in the quarter, but would enter the fourth tied 28-28.
The Peacocks would hit a three to open the fourth, but a three by Perez Mesquida, two threes by Cofield and a bucket from
Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]) comprised an 11-2 run that gave Rider a 39-33 lead with 6:17 to play. Unfortunately for the Broncs, that would be their final field goal in the game, as the Peacocks would go on a 9-1 run, first tying the game with 2:09 to play, then scoring with 1:11 to go to take a 42-40 lead. Rider's ensuing possession resulted in a pair of missed threes, then after a defensive stop, Rider's final look at the basket in the final seconds would come up short.
Quotes & Notes
"Our effort was really good, we did a great job of rebounding the ball, and we played like we wanted to win, but unfortunately not enough shots fell our way. We just couldn't put the ball in the basket, and we couldn't get stops down the stretch where we needed them. We had 17 second-chance points and 20 offensive rebounds, you expect to win the game."
– Head Coach Jackie Hartzell
"In the first half I felt like I wasn't contributing scoring-wise so I knew I had to do something else to help the team out, so I was crashing the boards, getting my teammates shots. Once one person gets the energy going, its easier for the team to follow along. In the fourth, once Aina hit the one, I knew my form felt good. They were giving me the shot and I' going to take it. Just give me the shot."
– Freshman Guard Alena Cofield
- Saint Peter's earns the season sweep and extends its lead in the all-time series to 52-30.
- Cofield's 10 points and 12 rebounds led the Broncs in both categories. It was the freshman's fifth game scoring in double figures and first career double-digit rebound game.
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 26.3% (15-57) from the field, and 12.9% (4-31) from three. The Peacocks shot 28.6% (12-42) from the field and 23.8% (5-21) from three.
- The Broncs had 10 assists on their 15 made baskets, led by four from Ekofo.
- Rider held a 51-29 advantage on the glass, including a 20-6 edge in offensive rebounds.
Up Next
The Broncs are back in action Saturday, hosting Marist at 1 p.m.
