EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 23, 2023) – A matter of milliseconds determined whether Mount St. Mary's and Rider would play overtime. After a would-be game winner by Aryna Taylor was waved off for leaving the hand a fraction too late, the homestanding Broncs rode the momentum in the extra session to a 68-59 win.
 
For the first time this season, two Mount players ended the game with double-doubles. Isabella Hunt had 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Natalie Villaflor finished with 11 and 10, respectively. Jessica Tomasetti finished with 12 points to lead the Mountaineers. Michaela Harrison ended with 10, and her final field goal allowed the graduate student to pass Kia Williams for fourth on the team's all-time scoring list at 1,733 points.
 
Rider got 18 points from Makayla Firebaugh and 16 each from Raphaela Toussiant and Victoria Toomey.
 
The Mount falls to 10-16 (6-11 MAAC) on the season, while Rider improves to 8-19 (5-13 MAAC).
 
Feeding off the crowd, Rider rocketed to an 8-2 start. Villaflor scored on the team's first possession down the floor, but they were made to go without on their next six trips – five missed shots and a turnover. Out of the first quarter media, the Mount benefited from a pair of clutch three's and four key makes at the line. Jaedyn Jamison hit a wide open look in the corner to cap off the period.
 
A triple from Taylor transferred the lead to the visitors, part of a 9-0 run. The advantage ran as high as five, thanks to Hunt's seven points in the quarter. Harrison chipped in a three at the minute mark, but Molly Lynch found paydirt with a corner three before the half to keep Rider within a possession.
 
Two shots at the line and a three-pointer put the lead back in Rider's favor. The Broncs kept themselves in front for a majority of the period as the Mount could only muster ties until the fourth. With 7:40 left in regulation, an and-one from Tomasetti put the visitors ahead. Free throws flipped the lead back to Rider, and they would hold on until the last minute when they were up 53-48.
 
In the final minute of play, Tomasetti pieced together another and-one that cut the contest to 53-51. Staunch defense held the Broncs at bay, and a layup by Villaflor with 21 seconds left leveled the score. Rider missed a potential game winner, and the Mount called timeouts to advance the ball with 1.4 second to go. Hunt inbounded to Taylor who took one dribble to cut around the defense. When the clean look materialized, she put in a layup that sent the bench into a frenzy. But upon further review, the red light was on before the ball left her hand, and the game went into extra time.
 
Free throws by Rider's Amanda Mobley at the 2:59 mark clinched the contest for Rider. The Broncs found the right person as Firebaugh drew three fouls, hitting all six shots at the line.
 
Senior Day and the 2022-23 home finale takes place this Saturday (Feb. 25) at 1 p.m. versus Manhattan. Ceremonies for the team's senior class begin at 12:45 p.m.