January 10, 2006 - Penn 66 Rider 38
January 10, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women's College Basketball
University of Pennsylvania 66, Rider University 38
PHILADELPHIA, PA--The Broncs lost at the Palestra Tuesday. “We didn’t really execute as well as we needed to,” said Rider assistant coach Brian Johnson.
Freshman Danielle Costantino (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll) gave Rider (1-12) a 3-0 lead with a three-point field goal, and then it was all Penn (2-10).
Penn jumped out to a 14-3 lead and led 37-18 at the half. Penn shot 51 percent from the field for the game, compared to 28.6 percent by Rider. Penn also out-rebounded Rider 44-21. “If we let teams shoot over 50 percent, you won’t win,” said Johnson. “In the first half, we get down 21-4 in rebounds, nine offensive, and they score on eight of them and that digs you in a hole.”
The Quakers were led by Joey Rhodes, who compiled 19 points and five assists. Ashley Gray added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Penn.
For Rider, Costantino had 11 points, and sophomore Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) added 10.
“We’ve got to pick up our focus,” said Johnson. “The mental psyche, we are trying to go the positive route and have the players fight hard.”
Rider returns to Alumni Gym to host Niagara Thursday at 7pm.
“It’s really tough being 1-12,” Johnson said, “but as coaches we have to keep things positive. It takes time and we are only playing one senior and three players with any Division I experience. When things are new and with a young team, you have to maintain consistency and we are working toward that consistency.”
-RU-
