Rider 67, Marist 62

Feb 24, 2005, 10:37 pm

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) -- Jerry Johnson scored 17 points and

dished out eight assists to lead Rider to a 67-62 victory over

Marist Thursday night.

Rider (16-10, 12-5 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) jumped

out to an early 6-0 lead as Marist missed its first nine field-goal

attempts. The Red Foxes (11-15, 8-9) closed the gap to 16-15 on a

free throw by Brandon Ellerbee. But Rider connected on three

3-pointers to close out the first half with a 30-23 lead.

Marist took its first lead of the game, 61-60, with 2:12 left in

the game on a baseline jumper by Shae McNamara. But Rider's Edwin

Muniz hit a 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining to put the Broncs up for

good.

Rider made four free throws to seal the win. The Broncs shot 80

percent from the foul line, while the Red Foxes shot only 33

percent.

Marist's Will McClurkin had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Will

Whittington added 14 points.

Muniz finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul

Johnson chipped in 10 for Rider.