December 29, 2006 - Rider 71 Wagner 59
December 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
Rider University 71, Wagner College 59
Wagner Christmas Classic – Semi-Finals
STATEN ISLAND, NY—It wasn’t much to ask for, just bring them one win. The Broncs had to wait until four days after the holiday but it was worth it, breaking a 14-game losing streak with a win at Wagner Friday night. "It was a great team effort," said head coach Tori Harrison. "It finally looked like the team said we aren’t going to lose this game."
Rider (1-10) defeated the host Seahawks 71-59 in the semi-finals of the Wagner Christmas Classic in New York Friday night.
Leading 38-37 at the half, the Broncs went on a 15-2 run, getting five points from junior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) and four points each by freshman Ashley Anderson (East Orange) and sophomore Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, Md./West Lake) opening up a 14 point lead 53-39 with 12:14 left in the game.
"I think Shaunice [Parker] did a tremendous job," Harrison added. "They all did a great job putting pressure on the ball. They were relentless and did a great job tonight."
The Broncs held Wagner to 28 percent shooting in the second half, and held the Seahawks without a field goal for over 11 minutes.
Henderson scored a career-high 21 points in 38 minutes of action and Anderson in her first collegiate start, posted her first career ‘double-double’ tying a career-high with 14 points and setting a career-high with 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. Parker finished with 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
"We came out with a great amount of intensity and had a complete 40 minute effort," said Henderson. "We kept that intensity no matter who came in and overall it was a great team effort."
"Ashley [Anderson] had a great game and the ‘double-double’ will not be her last. She has a great career ahead of her," said Harrison.
"Everyone came out and gave a complete effort," said Anderson who tied a career-high with 26 minutes. "We expect to come out with the same energy against St. Bonaventure."
"I had no problem coming off the bench," said Parker who had started the last eight games before tonight. "I just want to bring energy any time that I enter a game and I think I was able to help the team by doing that tonight."
The Broncs will face St. Bonaventure (8-5) in the championship game at 7:00pm at Wagner.
"We worked hard, especially in the second half," Henderson added. "We kept them from scoring and kept them off the boards and that strong defensive effort keyed the offense."
Freshman Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy/Hun School) added 10 points and five assists.
"I’m pleased with the effort and the players know that we are going to need a complete 40 minute effort on Saturday night," said Harrison.
"Defensive effort creates the opportunity to win," Parker added. "Playing good solid defense makes the offensive game that much easier. Playing strong on the boards and boxing out creates the opportunities to run the offense easier. We went back to basics and it worked. We look to have the same intensity and the same competitiveness on Saturday night."
In the other semi-final, the Bonnies opened up a 20 point lead and held off a late rally by Cornell (1-8), defeating the Big Red 78-67. Cornell will play Wagner at 5:00pm in the consolation game.
-RU-
