LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Despite a game-high 22 points from Zion Cruz (Trenton, NJ/Donda[DePaul/Pratt CC]) the Rider University men's basketball team was defeated by Mount St. Mary's, 65-55, Friday night. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 3-21 (2-13 MAAC), while the Mountaineers improve to 12-15 (8-8 MAAC).
 
Flash Burton (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) got the Broncs a quick two points, then after a one-of-2 trip at the line by the Mount, back-to-back buckets from Cruz gave Rider a 6-1 lead, but it would be short-lived as a 7-0 run by the Mountaineers would produce the game's lone lead change, and after a brief tie at 8-8, a 6-0 run by the Mount would give the Mountaineers a lead they would relinquish. The Broncs would not let the Mount go on a run, but the Mountaineers had a response for every Rider basket, taking a 28-21 lead into the break.
 
A three by the Mountaineers extended the lead to double digits, but Rider immediately responded with four-straight points by Burton to get within six. Minutes later a basket by Jamir McNeil (Cape May Courthouse, NJ/Middle Township) cut the lead to five at 36-31, and an old-fashioned three-point play by Daniel Helterhoff (Cologne, Germany/Urspringschule [USC Upstate]) cut the lead to four at 40-36 with 13:36 to play. Leading 46-40, the Mount scored five-straight points to once again push the lead to double digits. Rider would claw back, with a 6-0 run, getting two points each from Cruz, Caleb Smith (Atlanta, GA/Fredrick Douglass[Pratt CC/Garden City CC]), and Shemani Fuller (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes [Clark Atlanta]), cutting the lead to 51-46, but the Mount countered with an 11-3 run, and despite another 6-0 run by the Broncs, the comeback effort would come up short.

Quotes & Notes
"Too many breakdowns. They drove the zone, we over helped, and when we over help, somebody's open. We did some good things, but balls we didn't come up with when we were getting our hands on them, you have to come up with the 50/50 balls. When we cut it to four, I thought we were right there, and then we gave up the three, so those things hurt. We need to finish some of those layups, but we're right there competing, and we give up two three and that's how fast the game swung." - Head Coach Kevin Baggett
 
"Like coach said, we had too many breakdowns, but we just have to get back on defense and try to get a stop. We just keep competing, keep coming to practice, keep defending, and try to always stay positive. That's all we can do over these last five games." – Senior Guard Zion Cruz
 
- Mount St. Mary's completes the season sweep over the Broncs and trims Rider's deficit in the all-time series to 17-16.  

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider shot 35.0% (21-60) from the floor, and 14.3% (2-14) from three, while the Mountaineers shot 51.0% (26-51) from the field and 33.3% (8-24) from long range.
- Cruz finished with a game-high 22 points, finishing in double figures for the 13^th time this season.
- Rider had six assists on their 21 made baskets, led by three from McNeil.
- Mount St. Mary's held a 39-28 edge on the glass, but Rider held a 10-8 advantage on the offensive boards which led to a 12-6 Bronc advantage in second-chance points. Smith led Rider with six rebounds.

Up Next
The Broncs return to MAAC play Sunday, visiting Sacred Heart for a game at 7 p.m.