November 29, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's College Basketball

University of Hartford 70, Rider University 41

LAWRENCEVILLE--It has been said that what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. After playing four teams that are all picked to have outstanding seasons this year in their respective conferences, the Rider Broncs are getting stronger. “It is such an advantage to be able to play these tough teams,” said junior Monica Welborn (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin).  “They really push us, and it allows us to know what we need to do to get ready for the conference games.”

The young Broncs dropped to 0-4 on the young season, losing to Hartford Tuesday. Hartford is the defending champion of the America East, and was a unanimous pick to win that conference again this year.

Rider jumped out to a 4-1 lead and led 8-7 before Hartford (4-0) went on an 11-0 run, four points by Danielle Hood, to take an 18-8 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half.  Hood finished with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Hartford led 36-25 at the half. Holding a 42-32 lead, Hartford went on a 14-2 run to take a 56-34 lead with eight minutes left.

For the Broncs, Welborn scored 11 points.  “Monica always plays hard,” said Rider head coach Tori Harrison.  “We need her to shoot it more.”  Welborn made five of eight shots from the field, including a three-point field goal.  “We’re trying to put her in spots where she has the opportunity to score.”

Junior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg), who missed two weeks of preseason and the first game of the year with a concussion, added six points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals for Rider.  “It looks like Kara is starting to come back,” said Harrison. “She had nine rebounds, like the old Kara. Offensively she’ll have to produce more for us to be successful, and that will come.”

The Broncs continued their fine free throw shooting, making five of seven and have made 35 of 41 for the season (.854). Sophomore Jenele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) made three of four foul shots and finished with five points and five rebounds.

Rider plays at La Salle Sunday at 12 noon. “There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Welborn.. “The intensity is picking up, we’re a young team trying to mesh, and it could all come together this weekend.”

“Hopefully, when it comes down to conference time we’ll know how to play against this kind of competition,” said Harrison. “Our league is good, as good as these teams we are playing, so we have to keep getting better until we reach this level. Hopefully playing these teams will get us ready for the MAAC.”

-RU-