RIDER GAMEDAY

Who: Quinnipiac (6-11, 3-2) at Rider (10-6, 3-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

TV/ Radio: None/ 107.7 FM The Bronc Last Time Out: Rider def. Manhattan, 82-76; Quinnipiac def. Marist, 80-79 in OT

Series History: Rider leads 9-2 Background: A fourth straight victory would help keep the Broncs atop the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings. Rider swept both meetings last season, averaging 100.5 points over the two games.

Push the Pace: The Broncs have been able to dictate tempo during this three-game winning streak. That’s key especially in conference play when opponents know what you want to do. Rider plays at 77 possessions per game, second in the MAAC behind Niagara’s 78.1, but have been at 78.5 over the last three. The result is 92.3 points per game — a total which should win you a lot of games. Quinnipiac may be best suited to try and slow the game down. It plays at 70.4 possessions per game and track meet — which both contests were last season — may not serve the Bobcats well with five Rider players averaging in double figures.

Oh, the Free Throws: It’s like a broken record at this point, but the Broncs have to get it sorted out. Here’s a state: Rider ranks fourth in the nation in free throw attempts per game (27.9), 23rd in made free throws per game (17.4), but 346th in free throw percentage (62.2). Imagine if the Broncs shot 70 percent from the line what the record might be. “We got to make free throws,” coach Kevin Baggett said. “It’s frustrating as heck for our guys to get and-1 or two shots and not come away with any. We just got to get better at it.”

Scouting Quinnipiac: Picked to finish 10th in the MAAC, first-year coach Baker Dunleavy, a former Villanova assistant, has the Bobcats off to a 3-2 start in the league. Those three league victories — over Monmouth, Siena and Marist — are a by a combined four points. They’ll probably need to keep this game in the low-to-mid 70s against the explosive Broncs. Senior Cameron Young averages 17.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Young played sparingly last season under Tom Moore, but has found himself back in favor under Dunleavy. Meanwhile, freshman point guard Rich Kelly (5.8 assists per game) is second in the MAAC to Rider’s Stevie Jordan (6.7).