Jan. 27, 2008
Box Score
Loudonville, N.Y. - Rider's Tammy Meyers nailed a desperation three as time expired to send the game to overtime where the Broncs ultimately were able to fend off a late Siena surge, knocking off the Saints 77-73 today in Siena's first on campus game in over a month. Meyers led the Broncs (6-14, 1-8) with a career high 27 points, while Melissa Manzer paced the Saints (7-12, 3-6) scoring 19 of her team high 23 points after the first half.
Siena raced out to an early 18-10 advantage at the 10:44 mark following a Madel Gimpes steal and fast break lay in. Gimpes proved to be a spark off the Siena bench, finishing with five points and a career high six assists.
With 7:03 remaining, the Saints took a 24-17 lead on a Merrick Volpe lay up. This would prove to be Siena's final score of the first half as Rider rode a 9-0 run into intermission, securing a 26-24 halftime lead.
In a second half which saw three ties and five lead changes, the Saints took an eight point lead at 47-39 at the 8:35 mark following an acrobatic shot by Manzer. With the shot clock expiring, Manzer drove the lane and with her back to the basket threw up a no look shot over head that found the bottom of the net.
Rider however would quickly answer back minutes later, taking a 52-51 lead at the 3:47 mark following a Meyers jumper. The teams would battle to a seesaw battle over the next few minutes.
With eight seconds remaining, Meyers missed what would have been a game tying free throw. Rider's Stephanie Wisniewski corralled the offensive rebound but had her pass intercepted by Shondaya Burrell who was fouled with five seconds to go.
Burrell calmly sank to free throws to give the Saints a 61-58 lead. She finished with a double-double performance, posting 10 points, 13 rebounds and added six assists.
Following a Rider timeout, the Broncs in-bounded a pass from under their own basket to half court where Danielle Constantino fed Meyers for the game tying three pointer as time expired.
In the extra session, the Broncs built their lead to six with 57 seconds remaining following a pair of Amanda Sepulveda free throws. Sepulveda complimented Meyers performance with 21 points, including five three pointers. The Saints fought hard over the remainder of the period but could get no closer than two.
With the win, Rider snapped their 16 game road losing streak and 13 game MAAC skid.
The MAAC's leading scorer Laura Menty posted 19 points and 9 rebounds for the Saints, while Heather Stec notched a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
The Saints will look to bounce back when their three game homestand continues on Friday evening at the ARC against Saint Peter's. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
