Health & Fitness
Women’s College Basketball: Johnson Honored by the MAAC
For the third week in a row, a Rider University women's basketball player was a conference major award winner as freshman Mikal Johnson was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week.
EDISON, Dec. 17 — For the third week in a row, a Rider University women’s basketball player was a conference major award winner as freshman Mikal Johnson (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.
A 5-8 guard, Johnson was recognized for all competition Dec. 10-16.
In Rider’s 65-48 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday, Johnson scored six points and helped Rider's effort with several clutch plays.
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In the opening half, Johnson forced a turnover that led to a fast break and layup as Rider broke a 17-17 tie.
In the second half, with the game tied at 24, Johnson was fouled on a three-point attempt and knocked down all three free throws, giving Rider a 27-24 lead.
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With the Broncs trailing 29-27, Johnson nailed a three-pointer that put Rider back in the lead 30-29, the fourth of five lead changes in the contest
Johnson added two rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in the win.
Playing almost 20 minutes a game, Johnson is averaging 6.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.
Rider (5-4) has won four of its last five games since Johnson has been inserted into the starting lineup.
The Broncs also received another accolade on Monday with senior Sironda Chambers (Wilmington, Delaware) honored as the CollegeSportsMadness.com MAAC Player of the Week.
Recognized as the MAAC Player of the Week two weeks ago, Chambers continued her strong play, led the Broncs to a road upset at Pitt.
Chambers scoring 20 points and adding five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block (and no turnovers) in 32 minutes, while shooting 7-15 from the field, including three of four from three-point range.
Chambers also led the defensive effort that held Pitt to 48 points with the Panthers going without a field goal (and only five free throws) for the final 8:58 of the game.
This was Chamber’s third 20 plus point effort in the last five games and she is averaging 15.8 points per contest.
Senior Caitlin Bopp (Baltimore, Md./Inst. of Notre Dame) was the MAAC Player of the Week for all games December 3-9 and was also recognized by CollegeSportsMadness.com for her efforts in the Bronc win over Army.
Bopp scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds as Rider defeated the Black Knights 66-60 on Dec. 7.
The Broncs travel to Central Connecticut State University on Dec. 21 for a 6 p.m. non-conference game in New Britain.
