The Red Foxes (11-5, 5-2 MAAC) had six players score over five points and held Rider’s (1-14, 0-6 MAAC) leading scorer, sophomore guard Flash Burton, scoreless in a 71-49 win.
Rider’s offense was held in check outside of senior guard Zion Cruz, who had 11. The Broncs typically score off of their offensive rebounds, averaging 13 per game, but Marist controlled the glass, holding Rider to three offensive rebounds.
Everyone contributed to Marist’s offense; this year’s transfers led the scoring, with sophomore guard Justin Menard scoring 15 and senior guard Rhyjon Blackwell added 12.
The Broncs struck first, as Burton found redshirt senior forward Shemani Fuller for an emphatic dunk.
Both teams started sloppily, with each team recording two turnovers in the first four minutes. Marist took a 4-2 lead on a layup by senior guard Eljiah Lewis, assisted by senior guard Jaden Collins-Roberts.
After the media timeout, sophomore forward Tarik Watson injured his knee and was helped to the locker room without returning to the game.
Rider stayed cold, converting only one field goal in the first 10 minutes. Marist capitalized, going on a 7-0 run to lead 13-3, with an outlet from senior forward Jaden Daughtry to sophomore center Jason Schofield for a layup, forcing a Rider timeout.
Out of the timeout, Rider scored on a left hook by senior forward Mohamad Diallo and a midrange jumper from junior guard Caleb Smith.
After Watson’s injury, freshman center Jordan Gabriel entered and scored four straight points.
The Broncs’ second leading scorer, Cruz, responded after missing his first three attempts. Knocking down his next three mid-range jumpers, he cut into Marist’s lead 22-17.
Both teams traded baskets late in the half: senior forward Jaden Daughtry converted a layup after a spin move; freshman guard Jamir McNeil followed with a layup. In the final minute, Collins-Roberts and Blackwell hit threes to close the half with Marist up 30-21.
Marist carried momentum into the second half, extending their lead to 19 as Lewis converted a three-point play and Menard hit his second three off an inbounds pass from Collins-Roberts.
Marist stayed aggressive with three straight baskets, capped by a Menard mid-range jumper to make it 48-28.
Cruz scored four consecutive points to try to rally Rider, but the Red Foxes answered as Lewis fed Menard for a 24-point lead, 59-35. Marist maintained its commanding lead as both teams emptied their benches, sealing Marist’s third straight win.
The Red Foxes will look to keep their three-game winning streak going in their next matchup, hosting the Fairfield Stags on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 2 pm.
Edited by Jaylen Rizzo
Photo from Stockton Photo
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo
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