FAIRFIELD, CT – Despite a game-high 22 points from Zion Cruz (Trenton, NJ/Donda[DePaul/Pratt CC]) the Rider University men's basketball team was defeated at Sacred Heart, 86-75, Sunday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 3-22 (2-14 MAAC), while the Pioneers improve to 12-16 (8-9 MAAC).
 
The game was back-and forth early with Flash Burton (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara), Shemani Fuller (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes [Clark Atlanta]), and Davis Bynum (O'Fallon, IL/East St. Louis[Cal State Fullerton]) all hit buckets to give Rider early leads, then a three by Cruz had Rider on top 9-8, but the Pioneers would eventually be ahead 19-15 and go on a 13-0 run, going 5-of-6 six from the field, including 3-of-4 from long range and take a 49-30 lead into the half.
 
Down 63-48, Burton hit a pair of threes around a Pioneer basket to trim the deficit to 65-54. Then down 71-56, Cruz knocked down a three. The Pioneers hit a free throw, but AB Coulibaly (Philadelphia, PA/W. Philadelphia/Avon Old Farms) and Burton drained threes before Daniel Helterhoff (Cologne, Germany/Urspringschule [USC Upstate]) made a layup to cut the lead to five at 72-67 with just under five minutes to play, but the Broncs would get no closer. Up 74-69, Sacred Heart would ice the game with a 7-0 run.

Quotes & Notes
- Sacred Heart completes the season sweep and takes the lead in the all-time series 3-2.
- The Broncs are officially eliminated from MAAC Tournament contention with the setback.  

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider shot 44.1% (30-68) from the floor, and 46.7% (7-15) from three, while the Pioneers shot 44.3% (27-61) from the field and 36.4% (12-33) from long range.
- Cruz finished with a game-high 22 points, finishing in double figures for the 14^th time this season, tying his season high.
- Burton scored in double figures for the team-best 18^th time this season.
- Bynum added 10 points to score in double digits for the fifth time this year.
- Rider had 12 assists on their 30 made baskets, led by four each from Burton and Caleb Smith (Atlanta, GA/Fredrick Douglass[Pratt CC/Garden City CC]).
- Sacred Heart held a 38-35 edge on the glass, but Rider held a 13-12 advantage on the offensive boards. Smith led Rider with 11 rebounds, his sixth double-digit rebound game.

Up Next
The Broncs return to MAAC play Friday, hosting Canisius at 7 p.m.