December 14, 2005 - Princeton 67 Rider 63
December 14, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women's College Basketball
Princeton University 67, Rider University 63
LAWRENCEVILLE--Jimmy V. once said “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Rider head coach Tori Harrison simply says “keep fighting.”
The Broncs lost to cross-town rival Princeton Wednesday night, but not without giving the Tigers a battle down the stretch.
Trailing 61-41, Rider (0-8) went on a 16-0 run, six points by junior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg), to cut the lead to 61-57 with 1:58 left to play. “Keep fighting,” said Borel. “That’s what Coach preaches to us, to keep fighting and never give up. “We could have folded up and packed it in, but we didn’t. We kept fighting.” Borel finished with seven points and five rebounds.
A three-point field goal by freshman Danielle Costantino (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll) cut the lead to 65-63 with 8.4 left, but Rider could get no closer. Costantino finished with a career-high 16 points. “When you start hitting shots, good things can happen,” said Harrison.
With the score tied at 7-7, Princeton (6-3) went on a 15-0 run, four points by sophomore guard Meagan Cowher, to take a 22-7 lead, and the Tigers led 36-22 at the half. Cower, the daughter of NFL coach Bill Cower, finished with 19 points.
Sophomore Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) led Rider with a career-high 18 points, making eight of 12 foul shots, while grabbing seven rebounds.
Freshman Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, MD/West Lake) added 10 points and eight rebounds for Rider.
Rider is off for exams and the holidays, and returns to Alumni Gym to host Sacred Heart December 29.
Last week Rider gave preseason favorite and defending MAAC champion Canisius a battle, before losing at Siena. “We took big steps forward against Canisius, but we took steps backward against Siena,” Harrison said. “Tonight we took more baby steps forward with that second half comeback.”
Jimmy V. would have liked the comeback.
