Mount St. Mary's took care of business on their home court, defeating Rider 71-61 in a non-conference matchup at Knott Arena. The Mountaineers' win was fueled by a strong performance from Xavier Lipscomb, who led the team with 20 points. The outcome was largely expected, as CHD Scout had predicted a Mount St. Mary's victory by 8.6 points, and the final margin of 10 points fell right in line with those expectations.
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm in the first half. Mount St. Mary's and Rider entered the locker room tied at 33-33, setting up a crucial second half. The Mountaineers came out strong after the break, outscoring Rider 38-28 in the final 20 minutes to secure the win. Arlandus Keyes and Trey Deveaux provided key support for Lipscomb, chipping in 16 and 13 points, respectively, while also contributing on the glass and in the assist column.
Rider's Zion Cruz did his best to keep the Broncs in the game, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Flash Burton added 20 points of his own, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack from Mount St. Mary's. Shemani Fuller pulled down 11 rebounds for Rider, but the team's struggles on the offensive end ultimately proved too much to overcome.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The win improves Mount St. Mary's record to 9-13 on the season, while Rider falls to 2-17. While the victory may not be a significant upset, it is still an important one for the Mountaineers' resume. The game is classified as a Q4 win for Mount St. Mary's, which could have implications for their tournament chances down the line. On the other hand, the loss is a Q4 defeat for Rider, which will likely have a negative impact on their already slim postseason hopes.
Mount St. Mary's want to build on this momentum as they continue through their schedule, while Rider will aim to bounce back from the loss and try to string together some wins. For now, the Mountaineers can take pride in a solid performance from their team, led by the strong play of Xavier Lipscomb. The victory may not be a marquee win, but it is still an important one for a team looking to make a push in the second half of the season. As it stands, Mount St. Mary's has taken care of business against a lesser opponent, which is a crucial step in building a strong tournament resume.