December 28, 2006 - Notre Dame 101 Rider 51
December 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men's College Basketball
#19 University of Notre Dame 101, Rider University 51
NOTRE DAME, INDIANA—The Broncs fell to the nationally ranked Fighting Irish Thursday night. “Despite the score, there were some positives tonight,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey, “but we were just beaten by a much better team.”
Holding a 17-11 lead, Notre Dame (11-1) went on a 19-4 run, nine points by sophomore guard Kyle McAlarney, to take a 36-15 lead with 8:00 left in the first half. McAlarney made seven three pointers and finished with 21 points.
19th ranked Notre Dame made three three-point field goals in the first 3:30 to take a 12-4 lead, and made four three-point field goals in the final 4:00 of the first half, out-scoring Rider 16-3, to take a 56-24 lead at half time.
Rider (7-5) trailed 61-26 before going on an 11-0 run, four points by junior Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape), to cut the lead to 61-37 with 13:24 remaining. That was as close as the Broncs could get. Jason Thompson picked up his third foul with 6:36 left in the first half, and played just 23 minutes, finishing with a season-low nine points and six rebounds.
Rider freshman Ryan Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) dunked to give the Broncs a 2-0 lead, Rider’s only lead of the game. Ryan Thompson finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Senior Terrance Mouton (Lafayette, LA/Acadiana) grabbed a career-high seven rebounds while adding 10 points.
Rider freshman Robbie Myers (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) made his first collegiate start and compiled a career-high seven points.
Rider sophomore Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA) suffered a knee injury and played a season-low 11 scoreless minutes. “We don’t think it is anything serious,” Dempsey said. “He didn’t play not because he couldn’t, but for precautionary reasons.”
Notre Dame made 10 of 21 three-point field goals in the first half, and 13 of 31 for the game, while Rider made just one of seven from beyond the arc in the first half and two of 17 for the game. “To come out here and hang with a team like this you have to make 10 or 12 three’s” Dempsey said. “Making two three-pointers is not going to get it done.”
Notre Dame 6’9” junior forward Rob Kurz led all scorers with 23 points, making nine of 13 foul shots.
Rider returns home to host Fairfield in a MAAC game Tuesday, January 2.
-RU-
