This one hurt for Penn. Up 13 with a little under 7 minutes left, Penn let the game slip away from them, costing them a much-needed win. The Quakers have now dropped 5 in a row and have not won at all during the month of December. Ultimately the out-of-conference play does not matter, but it would be good for Penn to go into Ivy League play with a morale boost.
Penn was playing some of their best basketball all season to start the second half. 44 points and only 1 turnover those first 13 minutes, but after that it seems as though an off switch was hit.
Of course, the fact that big man Darien Nelson-Henry missed his second straight game with a concussion did not help the Quakers at all. Julian Harrell, Miles Jackson-Cartwright and Fran Dougherty stepped up big in his absence though, with 23, 20 and 18 points respectively. Despite the loss, Penn led in shooting 59.6% to Rider's 42.2%. Once again they were outrebounded and had more turnovers, but the glaring stat that is to blame for the loss is the fact that the Quakers were held scoreless by the Broncs for the final 3:08 of the game.
Rider was led by F Daniel Stewart's double-double. (18 pts, 10 reb.) Four other Broncs were also in double figures.
It was tough to watch this one slip away, especially after Penn played so well for most of the game. The Quakers will need to put this behind them though, as their out-of-conference schedule does not get any easier. George Mason away and La Salle at the Palestra make up the next 2 games for Penn before conference play opens against Princeton on Jan. 11.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Of course, the fact that big man Darien Nelson-Henry missed his second straight game with a concussion did not help the Quakers at all. Julian Harrell, Miles Jackson-Cartwright and Fran Dougherty stepped up big in his absence though, with 23, 20 and 18 points respectively. Despite the loss, Penn led in shooting 59.6% to Rider's 42.2%. Once again they were outrebounded and had more turnovers, but the glaring stat that is to blame for the loss is the fact that the Quakers were held scoreless by the Broncs for the final 3:08 of the game.
Rider was led by F Daniel Stewart's double-double. (18 pts, 10 reb.) Four other Broncs were also in double figures.
It was tough to watch this one slip away, especially after Penn played so well for most of the game. The Quakers will need to put this behind them though, as their out-of-conference schedule does not get any easier. George Mason away and La Salle at the Palestra make up the next 2 games for Penn before conference play opens against Princeton on Jan. 11.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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