LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Dimencio Vaughn scored 27 points and Rider shot 13-17 from the free throw line over the final 1:24 as the Broncs fended off Siena Basketball 85-77 at Alumni Gymnasium.
Donald Carey scored 20 points for the Saints who saw their four-game winning streak snapped.
Vaughn made 10-11 free throws and converted on all four of his attempts in the final minute for Rider (8-4, 2-0) who collectively shot 28-33 (85%) from the charity stripe. Stevie Jordan scored all 23 of his points over the final 21 minutes for the running Broncs who shot an even 50% from the field and scored 20 of their points on the fast break.
Jalen Pickett tallied 14 points to go along with seven assists and
Manny Camper contributed his seventh double-double of the season for Siena (6-6, 2-1) who scored 23 points off 17 Rider turnovers.
In a game which featured nine ties and 11 lead changes, a back-and-forth first half saw Rider build as much as a seven-point lead at 22-15 midway through the stanza. Siena went back in front scoring eight points in 80 seconds, capped by a pair of threes from Carey who scored 15 of his points in the first half. Siena made 10 threes, shooting 40% from distance.
The Saints tallied a late 10-2 run go up by as many as six points, and took a 40-37 lead at the break. Siena shot 56% in the first half while Rider connected at a 52% clip in a strong offensive showing between the MAAC's top-two scoring offenses.
The Broncs came out firing to open the second half, scoring 21 points over the first 6:36 to claim a lead they would not relinquish. Rider eventually built as much as an 11-point advantage at 68-57 with 8:06 to go before the Saints made a final push.
Siena cut a nine-point deficit with just 5:59 remaining down to as little as one at 72-71 with 1:35 left, following the second of two clutch late
Jordan King threes. But Stevie Jordan made three straight free throws and, although the Saints had a few looks in the last minute to tie, couldn't get over the hump.
In the midst of a span where they play five of six at home, the Saints return to the Times Union Center to host Saint Peter's Thursday night at 7 p.m.
