January 29, 2006 - Fairfield 68 Rider 53
January 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
Fairfield University 68, Rider University 53
LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Fairfield Sunday afternoon, despite the efforts by sophomore Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin), who tied her career high with 18 points. “Janele played very hard for a full 40 minutes today,” said Rider head coach Tori Harrison. “I couldn’t take her out.”
Trailing 35-18, Rider (2-16, 1-8 MAAC) went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to nine, 35-26, but that was as close as the Broncs could get. “I was happy to see us cut it to nine,” Harrison said. “For the most part we played hard.”
Holding a 9-6 lead, Fairfield (8-10, 5-4 MAAC) out-scored Rider 14-2, eight points by Sabra Wrice, to take a 23-8 lead. Rider scored the last four points of the first half and Fairfield led 29-16 at halftime. Wrice finished with 17 points, 10 in the first half. “Once we get down we have a hard time coming back.”
6’ freshman forward Baendu Lowenthal led Fairfield with 18 points and eight rebounds. “They killed us on a couple of high-lows,” Harrison said.
Junior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) added eight points, nine rebounds and six assists for Rider. “Kara plays hard all of the time,” Harrison said.
Senior Christine Catalanotto (Flushing, NY/Christ the King) added eight points for the Broncs.
“I really think we’re improving, so I can’t be too down,” said Harrison.
The victory was career win number 500 for 32-year Fairfield head coach Dianne Nolan, who becomes just the 28th Division I head coach to collect 500 wins. “I’m happy for Dianne,” said Harrison. “She recruited me out of high school. I just wish I wasn’t the one she got her 500th against, but I’m really glad she got it.”
Rider plays at Saint Peter’s Friday. “I just hope we come out and play hard Friday,” said Harrison.
-RU-
