January 4, 2006 - Saint Peter's 104 Rider 100 (ot)
January 4, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Basketball
Saint Peter's College 104, Rider University 100 (ot)
JERSEY CITY—Despite a career-high 28 points by sophomore Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape), the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game in overtime at Saint Peter’s Wednesday night. “This was Rider-Saint Peter’s at its finest,” said Rider coach Tommy Dempsey. “I don’t know if there was a better game played in the country tonight.” Thompson added 11 rebounds for his third ‘double-double’ of the season and eighth of his career.
Rider freshman Lamar Johnson (Scranton, PA) made a three-point field goal with 2.6 seconds left to tie the score at 92-92, sending the game into overtime. “I have confidence in Lamar,” said Dempsey. “To call his number at the end of the game showed that. I felt he was going to make it, and he did.” Johnson finished with 15 points.
In overtime, Thompson scored consecutive baskets to give Rider a 97-93 lead with 1:50 remaining, before Saint Peter’s (7-5, 3-0 MAAC) went on an 8-1 run, six points by senior Keydren Clark, to take a 101-98 lead. Clark, the nation’s leading scorer the last two years, compiled the first triple double ever by a Peacock, finishing with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. “No one else has figured out how to stop Clark, that’s why he’s had so much success,” said Dempsey. “We had no answers for him, and when he causes you to over react to him, it opens up other people.”
“Guarding Clark was quite a challenge,” said Johnson. “We were in a box and one, so I had help on both sides, but his numbers tonight speak for themselves as far as what kind of player he is.”
Rider (4-6, 0-2 MAAC) trailed 84-76 with 4:22 left in the second half before going on a 9-2 run, five points from Thompson, to cut the lead to 86-85 with 1:20 remaining.
Junior Terrance Mouton (Lafayette, LA/Acadiana) scored a career-high 22 points, making a career-high 11 of 12 foul shots, including his first 11 of the game. Mouton also dished out a career-high six assists.
Rider senior Edwin Muniz (Passaic) compiled 15 points before fouling out, making 11 of 16 foul shots. As a team, Rider made 33 of 48 foul shots, including 17 of 20 in the first half to stay in the game. Rider out-scored SPC 11-3 over the last three minutes of the first half to cut the lead to 48-46 at intermission.
Rider led 57-51 before Saint Peter’s went on a 15-0 run, eight points by Clark, to take a 66-57 lead with 13 minutes left in the second half.
Rider travels to Siena Saturday for a 1:00 pm game. “We need a road victory,” Dempsey said. “Even though we lost the last two games, I feel better about our team after those games.”
-RU-
