Rider’s game at Rutgers off due to COVID
Broncs pick up game vs. D3 Gwynedd Mercy on Monday
The Rider University men’s basketball team’s game scheduled for Saturday evening at Rutgers was called off due to a COVID issue in the Rutgers program.
The cancellation was announced on Saturday morning for a contest that was scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m. in Piscataway. Rutgers said in a statement that the game will be rescheduled to a later date. The two schools are separated by just 28 miles and there is room in the schedule to get a game in the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
It’s the latest in a rash of games that have either been canceled or postponed this week as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 rips through the country. This is the first game Rider has had impacted by the virus this season.
The Broncs (3-8) were expecting to play for the first time in 12 days, but will now pick back up on Monday with a game against Division III Gwynedd Mercy. The Griffins (8-2) have won their last four games and had an opening in the schedule after their game on Monday against Lebanon Valley College was canceled.
Rider’s next scheduled game after that is Jan. 2 at Quinnipiac. Rutgers, meanwhile, are scheduled to play non-league games against Central Connecticut State on Dec. 23 and Maine on Dec. 29 before ramping up Big Ten play against Michigan on Jan. 4.
The Scarlet Knights (5-5) last played on Sunday night against Seton Hall in Newark. The Pirates had to back out of a game against Iona at Madison Square Garden on Saturday and forfeit their first Big East game against St. John’s.
Testing protocols vary by school. Some test regularly, while others, like Rider, which is 100% vaccinated, only tests Tier 1 personnel if they feel sick or exhibit symptoms.