Feb. 26, 2013
LAWRENCEVILLE – Rider junior MyNeshia McKenzie is continually proving to be the consistent force the Broncs need.
In the team’s blowout loss to Iona last Saturday McKenzie still managed to post 14 points and 4 rebounds, and in Friday’s gritty win over Siena she added 12 points and 8 rebounds.
She stayed true to her consistency streak on Sunday, as her 17 points and 12 rebounds led the Broncs to a 56-41 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Loyola Maryland, improving their record to 13-12 (8-6 in MAAC conference play).
Sophomore guard Emily Fazzini added 15 points, seven coming during the team’s 18-5 run to close out the game, and 4 key offensive rebounds. Senior guard Sironda Chambers scored 10 points and senior center Caitlin Bopp continued her strong defensive play of late with 8 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks.
“It’s always big for us to have players not afraid to take a big shot,” said Rider head coach Lynn Milligan. “Emily hit seven points in a row when we needed someone to step up. She is a tough kid.”
“Loyola was able to take us out of our flow in the second half and that is something we have to work on at practice.”
With 15 minutes to go in the game, Rider held a 17-point lead at 36-19. Loyola (10-15, 5-9 in MAAC conference play) then went on a 17-2 run and narrowed the lead to two with only 6:20 left in the game. Rider was held to one field goal during that span.
“We have a habit of making things too close,” said Fazzini. “Lately we’ve been really good in pressure situations and while we don’t like to be in them, we’re comfortable when we are in them.”
Rider responded with a run of their own, outscoring the ‘Hounds 18-5 the rest of the way and holding them without a field goal for the final 4:40 of the game. McKenzie scored seven points during the run to match Fazzini’s seven. Bopp closed out the game in emphatic defensive fashion with seven rebounds and two blocks in the final seven minutes.
“We didn’t get too nervous when the game got close,” said Bopp. “Whenever we play Loyola it is hard to get touches inside because they are always double-teaming me so I tried to step up on defense to help the team.”
“Our strong defensive pressure is the reason we won,” said Milligan. “Emily was the offensive key, but Caitlin was huge down the stretch defensively.”
Rider started the game fast, opening up a 13-0 lead after just six minutes of play. They led 31-17 at halftime.
“That is so important for us to do,” Milligan said of the team’s fast start that was absent in their 30-point loss to Iona. “We changed some of our warm up before the game and some things in practice and you saw a positive result of that today.”
With the win, Rider has successfully swept the season series with Loyola and moved into fourth place in the MAAC with only four conference games remaining. Up next is an away game with defending conference champion Marist College.
“We are working extra time in the gym and everything is finally paying off,” said Bopp. “We really just focus on one game at a time.”
