NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Rider University women's basketball team took a major hit in its path to the MAAC Tournament Saturday, falling at Niagara, 56-52. The Broncs fall to 7-20 on the season, and 5-13 in MAAC play, while the Purple Eagles improve to 1-26 on the year, and 1-17 in league play.
 
Alena Cofield (Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) hit a three and got another bucket to help stake the Broncs to an early 5-3 lead, and Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy) scored an early five points to keep Rider in front 12-10 late in the first quarter, but Niagara closed the first on a 7-1 run to lead 17-13 after the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Broncs got back within one at 17-16 on a three from Daniya Brown (Fairfax, VA/Bishop O'Connell), but leading 20-18, Niagara went on an 11-0 run that took up over five minutes of the second quarter, and the Purple Eagles led 35-25 at the half.
 
Threes from Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]) and Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) along with a bucket from Deb Okechukwu (Washington, DC/Archbishop Carroll[CCBC-Essex/Harcum CC]) got Rider within four at 37-33. Then down 39-33, Okechukwu and Cofield hit layups followed by a McIver free throw to get within one at 39-38. Niagara led 43-40 after three quarters.
 
Niagara stretched the lead to 51-44, when Cofield and Ekofo hit back-to-back buckets, Ekofo had a 2-for-2 trip to the line, and Okechukwu made a layup to give Rider its first lead since the first quarter at 52-51 with 1:39 to play. The Purple Eagles would close out the game with a 5-0 run, getting all five points at the line to flip the game and produce the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Niagara wins the lone game in the series this season, and extends its lead in the all-time series to 35-28.
- Cofield led Rider with 14 points, getting double digits in points for the seventh time this season, and recording her second double-double of the year.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 35.8% (19-53) from the field, and 27.8% (5-18) from three. The Purple Eagles shot 32.1% (17-53) from the field and 21.4% (3-14) from three.
- The Broncs had 11 assists on their 19 made baskets, led by six from McIver.
- Rider held a 38-34 advantage on the glass, including a 12-11 edge in offensive rebounds. Cofield's 10 boards led the Broncs.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return home Thursday to play Siena. Tip off for Senior Day is set for 6 p.m.