EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 25, 2026) – A strong defensive effort was the primary force for Mount St. Mary's women's basketball, defeating Rider 54-46 in the regular season finale. The win gives the team a 15-14 record and an 11-9 record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), securing a first-round bye for the conference tournament next week in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On Senior Day,
Giana Hoddinott led the charge with 14 points and tying her career high for three pointers with four.
Zaria Harleaux – another Senior Day honoree – added in eight points and three rebounds.
Jaedyn Jamison finished with five points and three boards,
Deniz Torgut tallied a season high three assists, and
Mikaela Parris chipped in two foul shots along with some meaningful fourth quarter defensive minutes.
Beyond the senior class,
Alana Powell added 12 and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Kayla Lindsey secured seven of the team's 36 rebounds.
The Mount defense held the competition to 40 percent from the field but were even more enough from three-point range, limiting Rider to 2-for-21. They created 19 Broncs turnovers, nine of them via steals.
Rider finishes the season with a 7-22 (5-15 MAAC) record, one spot out of a tournament appearance. Kristina Ekofo finished her college career with 21 points for the Broncs.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
- The early lead went to Rider as the two sides slugged out an 11-10 score through the opening quarter. There were almost as many steals (6) as field goals (8).
- Trailing 23-18 in the second period, the Mount made a 5-0 to force a 23-23 game at halftime. Nyodie Guerard hit a clutch three to deadlock the game. It marked the first time the Mount went into the half tied.
- Amber Bullard, Powell, and Jamison each hit a bucket to start the Mount strong in the third quarter. A Harleaux layup built the lead as big as nine before Rider cut the deficit back down to five going into the final frame.
- The Broncs stayed within eyesight of a late comeback, getting as close as 42-39 with a three pointer from Aina Perez Mesquida with 3:48 to go. That's when Hoddinott delivered a pair of triples, putting the Mount in the driver's seat.
UP NEXT
Mount St. Mary's will play Saturday, March 7 in the quarterfinals of the MAAC Tournament. They can either be the #5 or #6 seed depending on games still to be played.
