LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Despite a team-high 18 points from Flash Burton (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara), the Rider University men's basketball team was defeated by Merrimack, 73-47, Saturday night. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 3-20 (2-12 MAAC), while the Warriors improve to 16-9 (12-2 MAAC).
 
After falling behind 5-0, the Broncs got a three from Cole McCabe (Miami Beach, FL/IMG Academy) then down 11-5, the Broncs got back-to-back buckets from Caleb Smith (Atlanta, GA/Fredrick Douglass[Pratt CC/Garden City CC]) and Burton trimmed the deficit to 11-9, but the Warriors countered with an 8-1 run, then leading 26-18, Merrimack held the Broncs without a field goal over the final seven-and-a-half minutes of the first half, going on a 14-2 run to lead 40-20 at the break.
 
Down 44-20 early in the second, a layup by Smith followed by a four-point play by Burton breathed life into the crowd, but with Merrimack holding a 51-32 advantage, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run over the next five minutes and would remain up by at least 20 for the remainder of the contest.

Quotes & Notes
"This has been a very frustrating year, to say the least, too many guys are inconsistent. Some games they're on, some they're off. We've had too many breakdowns defensively, which I've never seen before. I think we had some open look that we didn't make, then we started rushing and taking quick shots. We understand how to play the zone, so it was disappointing to see that today. Our guys won't quit, I'm not worried about that. I just think we need to get out of our own head, and get back to playing for the team." - Head Coach Kevin Baggett
 
- Merrimack leads the all-time series 3-1 after completing the season sweep over the Broncs.  

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider shot just 30.8% (16-52) from the floor, and 21.4% (3-14) from three, while the Warriors shot 56.5% (26-46) from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from long range.
- Burton led the Broncs with 18 points, reaching double figures for the 17^th time this season.
- Smith finished in double figures for the eighth time this season, finishing with 11.
- Rider had 11 assists on their 16 made baskets, led by three from Zion Cruz (Trenton, NJ/Donda[DePaul/Pratt CC])
- Merrimack held a 38-25 edge on the glass, but Rider held a 14-9 advantage on the offensive boards which led to a 16-12 Bronc advantage in second-chance points. Smith led Rider with seven rebounds.

Up Next
The Broncs return to MAAC play Friday, hosting Mount St. Mary's at 7 p.m.