RIDER GAMEDAY
Who: Rider (11-7, 4-2) at Saint Peter’s (8-9, 2-4)
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Yanitelli Center, Jersey City TV/ Radio: None/ 107.7 FM The Bronc
Last Time Out: Rider lost to Iona, 91-64; Saint Peter’s lost to Niagara, 73-70
Series History: Rider leads 32-28
Background: The Broncs hit the road for the fifth time in their first seven Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference against the Peacocks, who have won all five of their home games this season.
Injury Woes: The status of sophomore guard Stevie Jordan remains up in the air after he injured his left ankle during Sunday’s setback at Iona. Jordan is averaging 14.1 points, 6.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steal per game. Rider trailed, 39-37, when Jordan went down with three minutes left in the first half, but then managed just 27 points in the next 23 minutes. In games where Jordan hasn’t suited up, the Broncs are 1-4 . In the likely scenario he doesn’t play on Thursday, junior Kealen Washington-Ives is the only other true point guard on the roster. Washington-Ives has appeared in 83 career games, so he’s capable of filling in. Anthony Durham is also an option at point guard and Frederick Scott can serve as a second ball handler if coach Kevin Baggett decides to go big and pound Saint Peter’s inside. Rider averages 14 offensive rebounds per game and has crushed MAAC opponents in the paint. Scouting SPU: The Peacocks were swept on the Western N.Y. trip, but they’ve played well at home, including league wins over Monmouth and Quinnipiac. As is customary for a John Dunne team, SPU leads the MAAC in scoring defense (67.5 ppg), field-goal percentage defense (.420), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.315). The Peacocks also tend to play at a slower pace, which keeps scoring down and that kind of game would benefit them against the Broncs, especially without Jordan. Also keep an eye on the free throw line where SPU is tops in the league at 75.9 percent whereas Rider is a dreadful 59.8 percent. Nick Griffin paces the Peacocks in scoring at 14.5 points per game.