Rider rolls to first win in home opener
LAWRENCEVILLE >> Given that Rider had 13 days to stew over its opening-night loss, you had to believe it was ready to see somebody in a different color.
Dimencio Vaughn scored 19 points, Jordan Allen added 18 and the Broncs blew past Coppin State, 8767, for their first win on Monday night at Alumni Gymnasium.
Vaughn netted 13 of his game-high 19 in the second half, while Allen connected on 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Rider (1-1) had been off since a Nov. 6 defeat to UCF, but after a slow start in which it trailed 11-5, it took control with a 19-1 first-run sparked by its fullcourt pressure.
The Broncs scored 16 points off 12 Coppin State turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, including a stretch where they forced a turnover of four straight trips during that push.
Rider finished the game with 22 fast break points and 26 points off 20 turnovers. The Broncs forced a pair of 10-second backcourts violations.
Anthony Durham added 11 points and Frederick Scott had nine points and seven rebounds for Rider.
Justin Steers led the Eagles (0-5) with 16 points.
He’s the Juan
Coppin State is coached by college basketball legend Juan Dixon.
The former University of Maryland star was a threetime All-ACC performer and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Terrapins to the 2002 national title.
He’s only player in NCAA history with 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 3-pointers.
His Eagles are off to a tough start, albeit against difficult competition, dropping their first four games by an average margin of 32 points.
Up Next
Rider travels to Staten Island for a 2 p.m. tip against Wagner on Saturday.