RIDER GAMEDAY

Who: Rider (21-7, 14-2) at Monmouth (10-18, 6-10)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m., OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch

TV/ Radio: ESPN3/ 107.7 FM The Bronc Last Time Out: Rider def. Canisius, 8382; Monmouth def. Siena, 93-89 in triple overtime

Series History: Rider leads 29-20 MAAC Standings (Wednesday night’s games not included): Rider (21-7, 14-2); Canisius (19-10, 13-3; Niagara (18-11, 115); Iona (16-12, 10-6); Manhattan (13-15, 8-8); Fairfield (12-15, 7-9); Quinnipiac (10-18, 7-9); Monmouth (10-18, 6-10); Saint Peter’s (10-17, 4-12); Siena (8-21, 4-12); Marist (6-22, 4-12)

Controlling Their Destiny: The easiest path for Rider to the No. 1 seed and outright MAAC title for the first time in program history is to win both of its remaining games. “We have to take every game like it’s our last game,” junior guard Anthony Durham said. “That’s what I’m trying to stress to these guys, especially the young guys who haven’t been here. You have to play every game like it’s a playoff game.”

Still Streaking: Rider’s 10-game winning streak is now the second-longest active behind Grambling (11). Michigan State and Charleston also have active 10-game streaks. This streak is also the third best in program history. Only an 11-game stretch in 1957-58 and a 16-game one in 1930-31 are longer. “We have to just keep getting better,” Durham said. “I feel like we can execute better down the stretch, but that’s just stuff we have to pay attention to during film and in practice.” Player of the Year Push: Redshirt freshman forward Dimencio Vaughn won MAAC Player of the Week for the second straight week. Vaughn is making a late charge for the league’s Player of the Year. In 16 conference games, he’s averaging 17 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Scouting Monmouth: The Broncs raced out to a big lead and then held off a late run by the Hawks to pick up a 92-85 victory in the first meeting. Monmouth played that game without Micah Seaborn. An all-league player, Seaborn returned from a seven-game absence in the tripleovertime victory at Siena and scored 15 points in 44 minutes. He’s missed chunks of the season with knee, ankle and hamstring injuries. Freshman Deion Hammond (12.3 points and 38.8 percent on 3s) has emerged as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate and senior Austin Tilghman (11.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists) is having a solid year at point guard.