LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – A strong fourth quarter propelled Rider to a 72-57 home win over the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team on Thursday evening in Lawrenceville, N.J. in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play. 

Ny'Ceara Pryor led the Pioneers on both sides of the ball on Thursday, tallying 14 points and eight steals. Emma Kirby also crossed double figures with 11 points and eight rebounds for a near double-double. 

Sierra Johnson finished third on the team with 10 points, which is a season-high for the junior. With 10 points today, Johnson is up to 502 in her career. 

Records: 
Sacred Heart: 6-14, 2-9 MAAC
Rider: 6-15, 4-8 MAAC
 
Leaders: 
Ny'Ceara Pryor: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 8 steals
Emma Kirby: 11 points, 8 rebounds

Of Note: 
With the game tied at 7-7 at the 7:11 mark of the first quarter, the Broncs took control for the remainder of the frame. Rider ended the quarter on a 16-1 run to take a 23-8 advantage into the second. 

The Pioneers entered the second with new energy, scoring the first eight points of the frame to trim the margin to seven, 23-16. An 11-0 run followed to give Sacred Heart a 29-28 lead by the 3:11 mark. Johnson scored five points in the surge, while Kirby, Dianne Crespo López and Pryor also hit big baskets. 

A Carmen Williams' triple gave SHU back the lead at 32-30, but five straight by the home team to end the frame set the Pios' halftime deficit at 35-32. 

The Broncs rebuilt its advantage to double figures, going up 13, 48-35, six minutes into the third quarter before SHU went on another run. The Pioneers scored the next 11 points to get within two, 48-46, with 53 seconds left. Rider scored the final three points of the quarter to take a 51-46 lead into the fourth. 

Unfortunately for the Pioneers, an 8-0 run by the Broncs to start the fourth spelled doom for the visitors. Rider took the quarter by a 21-11 margin, putting the finishing touches on a 72-57 win. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers return to the Pitt Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, for a matchup against crosstown rival Fairfield at 2 p.m. SHU will be holding a pregame fanfest from 1-2 p.m. and will be having multiple giveaways.