The Guru NCAAW Rdup: Rider and Delaware Suffer Setbacks

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

It was two up and two down for locals for the second straight day, Rider (2-8) kicking off its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play (MAAC) with a 70-62 loss at Quinnipiac (9-1) in Hamden, Conn., while Delaware (3-7) lost 79-69 to Navy (8-3) in Annapolis, Md.

In the the Rider game, the Broncs got off to a 12-3 start going a perfect 5-5 from the field, including two from deep, only to see the Bobcats strike back 15-0 and finish the first quarter 21-12 and continuing the streak to 19-0 the next period.

The visitors stayed in the fight to move within four in the last period, but Quinnipiac cut the rally to preserve the win.

Quinnipiac now leads the series 23-4.

Winner Bartholomew scored 15 for the Broncs, while La Salle transfer Gabby Turco scored 12 and reserve Emily Tahata scored 10.

Bobcats freshman Gal Raviv continues to impress, scoring 18 points with nine assists, while Karson Martin scored 16, Jackie Grisdale scored 14m and Ella O’Donnell scored 10.

Rider is off until hosting preseason favorite Fairfield Jan. 2 at Alumni Gym in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Delaware got 11 points and four steals from Ande’a Cherisier, while Tara Cousins scored 16 with four assists, Ella Wanzer scored 14, and Jiya Perry scored 10.

The Midshipmen snapped the Blue Hens’ four-game win streak in the series.

Delaware visits Old Dominion Sunday at 2 p.m. in Norfolk, Va.

Friday’s local action has the Hawk Classic, a true tournament format, at Hagan Arena, the host Saint Joseph’s squad meeting Howard at 11 a.m., followed by Northwestern playing Charleston at 1 p.m.

Penn at the Palestra hosts Delaware State at 11:30 a.m., while La Salle out West plays Northern Kentucky in San Diego at 5 p.m.

The big national attraction is in San Francisco where No. 11 Ohio State plays Stanford at 8:30 p.m. followed by No. 1 UCLA playing Creighton at 11 p.m., both on FS1.