Rider Takes Down Princeton In 2016-17 Season-Opener, 70-62

Friday, November 11

Princeton, N.J.

7:00 p.m.

Princeton University

0-1

Rider

1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	F
RID	14	21	19	16	70
Princeton	17	16	10	19	62

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

Rider Takes Down Princeton In 2016-17 Season-Opener, 70-62

November 11, 2016 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PRINCETON, N.J. – Despite a 24-point performance from freshman Bella Alarie, the Princeton Tigers dropped their 2016-17 season opener to the Rider Broncs, 70-62, at Jadwin Gym on Friday.

Ahead 35-33 at the half, the Broncs went on a 15-2 run to begin the third quarter and led by as many as 17 in the frame. The Tigers countered with a 16-2 spurt during the next 4:51 of game time to cut their deficit to three (56-53) with 7:50 remaining. The Broncs kept the Tigers at bay with the next three buckets to go back up by nine (62-53). Princeton made one more push to get within five, but another 6-0 cycle by Rider put the game out of reach.

Prior to the game, the Tigers honored the 2015-16 team with the unveiling of the 2016 NCAA Tournament banner. Four members of the Class of 2016, Amanda Berntsen, Michelle Miller, Alex Wheatley and Taylor Williams, returned for the ceremony. The group helped the Tigers to a 97-23 record during their four years and helped the program to its first NIT and NCAA Tournament victories.

Rider started the contest fast with 10 of the first 12 points, but Princeton quickly answered with 15 of the next 17 to take a 17-10 lead at the 2:41 mark of the first quarter. The Tigers lead 17-14 after the first, but Rider registered six consecutive points to open the second stanza and retake the lead. No team led by more than six the rest of the half before the road squad took a two-point advantage into the locker room.

Alarie also grabbed seven rebounds while junior Tia Weledji set a new personal high with 12 points. Senior Taylor Brown tied a career-high with eight rebounds. Rider had four players in double figures including a team-high 20 points from Stella Johnson. The Broncs recorded 25 points off of Princeton turnovers and had 12 fast-break points in the victory.

Princeton will get back at it on the road as it travels to George Washington on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.