December 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men’s College Basketball
Rider University 89, University of Delaware 84
Muniz Scores 1000th Point

LAWRENCEVILLE—Often in high school and college basketball, when a player is approaching a milestone, the points suddenly become hard to come by. Not for senior Edwin Muniz (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) on Saturday. Needing 26 points for his 1,000th and coming into the game averaging 12 per game, Muniz scored 27 points to lead Rider to victory over Delaware.

“We made a conscious effort to force feed Ed the ball,” said Rider coach Tommy Dempsey. “When he is dialed in like he was today, he has the whole package. He can score on the block, or step out and make shots. He’s hard to match up with when I see that look in his eye.”

Delaware (2-6) led 51-50 before the Broncs went on a 12-6 run to take a 62-57 lead with 11:13 left to play. That run was capped off by a three point play by Muniz, which gave him 1,001 career points.

“I tried to let the offense run, and fortunately I was getting good looks,” said Muniz, who came within on point of his career-high.  “1,000 points is a great accomplishment for me, and I finally got it. I was really happy. I gestured to my parents in the stands when I got it.”

With the score tied at 66-66, Rider (3-4) went on an 18-6 run, eight points by freshman Lamar Johnson (Scranton, PA), to take an 84-72 lead with 3:01 left to play.  Johnson finished with 16 points. “The first few games I wasn’t ready to play,” Johnson admitted. “I was putting too much pressure on myself to have a perfect game. I’m more confident now.”

The game featured 12 ties and six lead changes. “It was a game of runs,” said Dempsey. “Every time we got up they came back. They had a lot of will today as well.” 

Delaware was led by 6’8”, 230 pound senior Harding Nana, who compiled 28 points and 19 rebounds. “Nana was un-guardable today,” said Dempsey. “He played like a man possessed. We had no answer for him.”

For Rider, junior Terrance Mouton (Lafayette, LA/Acadiana) added 18 points, 16 in the second half, and four assists. “In the second half the court opened up, and I had some open shots,” Mouton said.

Sophomore Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) compiled 12 points and nine rebounds for the Broncs.

Rider is now off for exams and the holidays, and competes again December 29-30 at the College of Charleston’s Saturn Shootout. Rider plays Long Island University in the first round. “These guys have to focus on finals now,” said Dempsey, “and that is easier to do when you are in the right frame of mind. Now its time to hit the books.”

-RU-