February 17, 2007 - Rider 55 Siena 52
February 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
Rider University 55 Siena College 52
LAWRENCEVILLE—The trainer got seven healthy enough to be in uniform and the Broncs took care of the rest. Junior Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin) scored 18 points to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Siena Saturday afternoon. The victory, Rider’s first in the MAAC this season, snapped a 14-game losing streak. “This was the first game that we competed and held our poise for a complete 40 minutes,” said head coachTori Harrison.
Due to injuries and illness, the Broncs only dressed seven of 13 players and five of the seven logged over 30 minutes.
“We were shorthanded but we didn’t use that as an excuse today,” said Henderson. “We wanted to show that despite our record we plan to battle and compete the rest of the season and in the MAAC’s and I have a feeling that not too many teams are going to want to play us because they know they will be in for a tough game. We have the talent to compete and play better and today’s effort showed that.”
This was only the third time in the 22 games of the series that Rider has defeated Siena.
Rider (2-24, 1-14 MAAC) trailed 39-35 before going on a 15-6 run, 11 points by sophomore Danielle Costantino (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll), to take a 50-45 lead with 3:45 left to play. That was the fifth and final lead change of the game. Costantino finished with 12 points, all in the second half.
“Danielle can be that kind of player,” said Harrison. “I’ve had the confidence that she could do that all year and I’m glad she picked today to bring it out.”
“It feels great to win,” said Costantino. “We didn’t give up in the second half when Siena came back and we pulled through. I was just trying to hit open shots and my teammates kept getting me the ball and after hitting the first two, I had the confidence to continue shooting.” Costantino shot three for six in the second half, making two three-point field goals and hit three free throws with 3:45 left that put Rider up by five at 50-45.
Siena (7-18, 6-9 MAAC) scored the first 12 points of the second half to tie the score at 28-28.
“We gave up the run to start the second half but we didn’t panic,” said Harrison. “And with all of the injuries, what you saw is basically the team for next year and I saw some positive signs. We have some promise.”
Rider jumped out to a 16-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, eight points by Henderson.
“I think we forced Siena to take some bad shots by getting between them and the basket,” Harrison added. “When you have an off day shooting and the other team is playing well on defense, it’s hard to maintain your confidence and I think we did a good job disrupting what they [Siena] was trying to do.”
Holding a 20-12 lead, Rider went on an 8-0 run, five points by freshman Amanda Sepulveda (Perth Amboy/Hun), and the Broncs led 28-16 at the half. Sepulveda finished with five points and three assists.
Junior Kelli Sawyer (Philadelphia, PA/Friends Select) added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists for Rider, while sophomore Shaunice Parker (Waldorf, MD/West Lake) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
For Siena, Laura Menty led all players with 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Rider travels to Marist Monday.
-RU-
