February 17, 2006 - Rider 63 Niagara 52
February 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
Rider University 63, Niagara University 52
NIAGARA FALLS, NY--The Broncs ended a nine-game losing streak with a come-from-behind Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory at Niagara Friday. “We really played well,” said Rider head coach Tori Harrison. “The team needed to step up and they did tonight. Everyone contributed.”
Rider (3-21, 2-13 MAAC) out-scored Niagara 20-7 over the first 13 minutes of the second half, 10 points by senior Christine Catalanotto (Flushing, NY/Christ the King), to take a 46-36 lead. Catalanotto finished with 14 points. “It was good to get a win,” said Catalanotto. “The defense led to our offense during that second half run. Our defense was the key tonight.”
“Christine gets the game ball tonight,” said Harrison. “She played a great game. She’s very composed out there and she really attacked the Niagara defense.”
Rider made six of six fouls shots in the final minute of the game, four by sophomore Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin), to preserve the victory. Henderson finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. “Janele hit those big free throws down the end,” Harrison said.
Trailing 12-6, Rider went on a 14-4 run to take a 20-18 lead, and Niagara (3-21, 2-13 MAAC) led 29-26 at half time.
Junior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) compiled 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Freshman Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, MD/West Lake) grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds to go along with her six points. “The freshmen played really well tonight,” said Harrison. “Shaunice was on the boards for us tonight.”
Shaunna Ambrose led Niagara with 15 points, while Toni Smalley added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Rider will stay in Western New York to play at Canisius Sunday afternoon. “Now we want to start a different kind of streak, and keep it going Sunday,” said Catalanotto.
Rider out-rebounded Niagara 43-36, just the second time this year Rider has out-rebounded an opponent, and the Broncs tied a season-high with six three-pointers.
-RU-
