Box Score A ten-minute scoring drought in the first half proved to be the difference for the Saint Peter's women's basketball team (0-18, 0-7 MAAC), as they dropped a 74-51 decision to the Rider University Broncs (8-10, 3-4 MAAC) in Lawrenceville, NJ this evening.
The Broncs led from beginning to end, with the Peacocks keeping as close as one in the opening minutes. Rider established their first double-digit advantage at the 8:16 mark of the first half and never looked back.
Kristal Edwards led the squad in the loss, recording 15 points, 6 boards and two steals, while Aziza May also finished in double-figures with 14 points.
Kaydine Bent tied her career-high in rebounds; grabbing 11 boards. Hala Mostafa also tied her career-high in rebounds (6), and notched career-highs in points (6) and blocks (6).
Rider opened up the game with a 14-8 lead, with half of their points coming from senior center Caitlin Bopp. The Peacocks were able to get within four (18-14), until the Broncs formed a 7-0 run to enter the under-eight media timeout leading 25-14. Rider proceeded to rattle off eight more points to extend their advantage to 19 points (33-14) with 3:46 remaining in the half.
The hosts added five more points before two made free throws by freshman center Hala Mostafa at 2:17 broke a ten-minute scoring drought for Saint Peter's. During that time, the Peacocks went 0-18 from the floor and committed 5 turnovers. The Peacocks entered the half-time break trailing 41-16.
For the half, Saint Peter's shot just 17% (7-41) and failed to connect on a three-point attempt. Mostafa's two free throws were the only ones the Peacocks took in the stanza.
Rider shot 46.4% from the floor (13-28), 45.5% from long distance (5-11) and 62.5% from the free throw line (10-16).
The Peacocks were led by Mostafa's 6 first half points, while Emily Fazzini led the Broncs with 15 (5-6 from three).
Saint Peter's managed to out-score the Broncs by a 35-33 margin, but the twenty-five point first half deficit proved too large to come back from.
The Broncs established their largest lead of the game (29) at the 15:14 mark of the second stanza, following a jumper by MyNeshia McKenzie. Saint Peter's was unable to get closer than 21 in the second half.
Overall, the Peacocks shot 25.4% from the floor, 18.2% from three-point range and 68.4% from the free throw line. Rider shot 39.1%, 28% and 65%, respectively.
The Peacocks were out-rebounded by a 60-44 margin and committed 10 turnovers while forcing 15.
Four of Rider's five starters finished in double-figures; led by Emily Fazzini's 20 points. Caitlin Bopp added a double-double of 12 points, 13 rebounds for the Broncs.
Saint Peter's travels to Riverdale, NY to play the Jaspers of Manhattan College this Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 2pm.
