January 3, 2007 - Army 65 Rider 54
January 3, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
U.S. Military Academy 65, Rider University 54
WEST POINT, N.Y.—The Broncs gave a valiant effort against the defending Patriot League champions before Army used a late run to defeat Rider 65-54 on Wednesday night in the final non-conference game of the season. "I hate to lose," said head coach Tori Harrison. "I thought we fought and battled and we need to use what we learned tonight going into the conference schedule."
For Rider (1-12), freshman Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy/Hun) came off the bench and led the team with a career-high 12 points, all three-pointers. Senior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) added 11, along with three steals and two assists.
"I thought we came out strong," said Sepulveda. "We didn't rebound very well in the second half and we didn't take care of the ball and that cost us the game."
Rider jumped out to a 6-0 lead off three Army turnovers and led 8-2 at the 15:38 mark of the first half, four points by junior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin). Henderson finished with six points and two steals.
The Broncs led at the half for only the second time this season 29-24.
Up 39-38, with 14:21 left in the game, the Black Knights went on a 12-3 run, eventually opening up a 14 point lead at 59-45 with 3:18 left.
Army held the Broncs to four field goals, two in the final minute and 14 points over the final 13 minutes of the game.
"This game tonight prepares us for the final 16 games of the conference," Harrison said. "This was a tough road test, in a hostle environment and all of the MAAC games, especially on the road are going to be like tonight was."
Freshman Ashley Anderson (East Orange) added 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Rider.
"I just want to win," Anderson said. "When I come into the game, I just try to do whatever the team needs me to, whether it's getting a steal or a good shot or just playing strong defense. I just want to contribute to the success of the team."
Rider matched Army rebound for rebound on the defensive end but were out-rebounded by ten on the offensive glass.
"We should have boxed out more," said Anderson. "They [Army] had 24 offensive rebounds and we are going to have to make adjustments going into the MAAC schedule."
"Being young is no reason not to hustle and box out," Harrison said. "We need to be more detemined not to let teams beat us on the boards, especially on the offensive end of the court."
Cara Enright led Army with 19 points with Courtney Wright adding 17 rebounds, eight on the offensive glass.
The Black Knights have won eight straight, the second longest streak in program history.
"This was an emotional game," Harrison added. "Army made NCAA's last season and lost their coach [Maggie Dixon] right after the season so they are playing with a lot of emotion and they are defending Patriot League champions and came in having won 12 of 14 games. They are a good team but tonight's effort by us shows the progress we are making and the areas we still need to work on."
A work in process, Rider hosts Canisius in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Saturday.
-RU-
