Men’s College Basketball: Canisius College 67, Rider University 50

LAWRENCEVILLE — The Broncs saw their five-game winning streak come to an end with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference loss to Canisius Friday night (Jan. 25).

Canisius (13-7, 6-3 MAAC) out-scored Rider 17-4 to start the second half, five points by Jordan Heath, to take a 44-28 lead. Heath finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Junior guard Billy Baron also added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Golden Griffins, who win for just the second time (2-14) ever in Rider’s Alumni Gymnasium.

Canisius scored the final four points of the first period to take a 27-24 lead at half time, the seventh lead change of the first 20 minutes and the final lead change of the game.

Canisius used an 11-2 run, six points by senior guard Isaac Sosa, to take a 21-17 lead with 7:00 left in the first half. Sosa finished with 12 points.

Rider (11-10, 6-3 MAAC) went on an 11-4 run, nine points by junior Tommy Pereira (Nottingham, England/Canarias Basketball Academy), to take a 15-10 lead mid-way through the first half. Pereira finished with 11 points, his third consecutive game as Rider’s leading scorer in as many starts.

Sophomore Junior Fortunat (Montreal, Quebec/Roman Catholic) compiled eight points, four rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes off the Rider bench.

Junior Anthony Myles (Dover, DE/Poly-Tech) added seven points for Rider

Canisius out-rebounded Rider 42-22.

Canisius leads the MAAC in three point field goal percentage and is fifth in the nation with 9.2 three-pointers made per game, and was nine for 24 (.375) from beyond the arc for the game.

Rider came in as ninth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense and gives ups just 4.9 threes per game.

Since joining the MAAC Rider is 27-8 against Canisius, which includes 3-1 in postseason play. The overall series began in 1929-30 and Rider has won 29 of the 37 meetings.

Rider hosts Manhattan Sunday afternoon (Jan. 27). The Broncs defeated Manhattan 69-60 on Jan. 10.