Rider runs past St. Joe’s

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Frequently, St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli boils down the game of basketball to simple math.

When he took stock of his team during preseason practices, he saw a group that likely wouldn't shoot much better than 40 percent. His solution? He impressed upon his players the necessity to take more shots than the opponent by speeding up the game.

Tonight at jam-packed Alumni Gym, the Hawks saw exactly what he meant. Rider provided them with an example as the Broncs knocked off St. Joe's, 81-73.

In an entertaining game with several lead changes, the Broncs overcame a 60-54 deficit with a 10-0 run and the Hawks were unable to regain the advantage.

It was the third time Rider (5-3) has defeated the Hawks (3-3) in 20 meetings.

Mike Ringgold, a 6-foot-7 junior from Roman Catholic, scored 16 points for Rider, as did Jhamar Youngblood.

As he did in the first half, freshman Justin Crosgile seemed to energize the Hawks when he came off the bench with St. Joe's down, 54-48. He drained a three-pointer and launched a long, perfect alley-oop pass to Garrett Williamson for a dunk as St. Joe's went on a 12-0 run for a 60-54 lead.

But as they'd done throughout the game, the Broncs fought back.

Rider took a 43-40 edge at the break. Frequently leaving the lane open, the Hawks were allowing the Broncs too many easy baskets. Ringgold and Justin Robinson combined for 24 points as Robinson continually found openings to the basket and Ringgold was strong on the offensive boards.

If not for 6-11 Todd O'Brien, the sophomore transfer from Bucknell, St. Joe's would have been in deeper trouble. O'Brien made all four of his first-half shots and pulled down six rebounds, nearly half the Hawks' total.

One reason for the Hawks' defensive lapses was early foul trouble for Garrett Williamson, St. Joe's best defender. The senior guard sat out the final 13 minutes of the half after picking up his second foul.

Crosgile, who missed the first five games while recovering from surgery on torn ligament in his left thumb, entered the game with 11:36 to go in the half and St. Joe's down, 22-17. His aggressiveness quickly became contagious. He hit two free throws, fed Bryant Irwin for a basket and scored off two darting moves to the basket. The Hawks went on a 13-0 run and took a 30-25 lead while Rider went scoreless for almost five minutes.