LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team saw its hopes of reaching the MAAC Tournament come to an end Thursday night, falling to Siena, 67-55. The Broncs fall to 7-21 on the season, and 5-14 in MAAC play, while the Saints improve to 12-16 on the year, and 10-9 in league play.
 
After the Saints got the game's first basket, Aina Perez Mesquida (Manacor, Spain/IES CTEIB) had a perfect trip at the line, Aliya McIver (White Plains, NY/White Plains) scored a bucket, and Emmy Roach (Littlehampton, Australia/Heathfield) knocked down a three to put Rider up 7-2. Siena would counter with seven-straight of their own to quickly retake the lead. The Broncs once again answered. Roach got free for a layup before threes by Kristina Ekofo (Brussels, Belgium/ Établissement Des Soeurs De Notre Dame[North Dakota State University/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M]), Roach, and Perez Mesquida put Rider up 18-9. The Broncs led 18-15 at the end of the first.
 
A three from McIver, followed by a bucket from Ekofo gave Rider a 23-15 lead. The Saints followed with a 6-0 run, but the Broncs would maintain the lead, going into the break up 32-29.
 
Siena took control of the game in the third. With Rider leading 34-33, the Saints closed out the quarter on a 7-2 run to lead 40-36 entering the fourth.
 
The Broncs twice got to within three early in the fourth on threes by McIver and Daniya Brown (Fairfax, VA/Bishop O'Connell), but both times the Saints had the answer, outscoring the Broncs 20-11 over the game's final 5:43 to secure the win.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We played well in the first half, but the third quarter, we couldn't score, and we just didn't rebound the ball. When a team has more offensive rebounds than you have total rebounds, you're just not going to win. Credit to Siena, they played hard and they played like they really wanted the game. They were really aggressive, and unfortunately we just weren't able to match it." – Head Coach Jackie Hartzell
 
"We were fighting until the end. It didn't hit me until we got back to the locker room. I had my shots outside, and just took what they gave me. My family hasn't been able to come to a game my whole college career, but they surprised me with the video, so I was emotional, but I had my teammates cheering me on, so it wat easier to transition into the game." – Graduate Student Forward Kristina Ekofo
 
- Siena earns the season split and leads the all-time series 42-18.
- Prior to the game, the team honored its two graduating team members, Ekofo and Kaylan Deveney (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy).
- Ekofo led all scorers with 19 in the game, reaching double digits for a team-best 16^th time.
- McIver added 12 to score in double figures for the 15^th time this season.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider shot 34.4% (21-61) from the field, and 31.0% (9-29) from three. The Saints shot 35.9% (23-64) from the field and 27.3% (6-22) from three.
- The Broncs had 16 assists on their 21 made baskets, led by six from McIver.
- Siena was dominant on the boards, holding a 56-24 advantage on the glass, including a 27-7 edge in offensive rebounds. McIver led Rider with six rebounds.
 
Up Next
The Broncs hit the road to close out the season, playing at Mount St. Mary's. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.