Dec. 5, 2002

Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) - David Bennett scored with 2.8 seconds left in overtime to lift Marist over Rider 72-70 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Thursday night. It was the Red Foxes first MAAC game of the tear, and second win in a row, improving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in MAAC play.

After regulation ended in a 65-65 deadlock, Rider opened the overtime period by scoring five points in the first :58 seconds, to take a 70-65 lead, but it would be all Marist from that point on. The Red Foxes took a timeout with 3:52 remaining, and Nick Eppehimer connected on a lay-up 22 seconds later, and hit the ensuing free throw to make the deficit 70-68. After a defensive stop, Eric Siegrist tied the game with lay-up of his own, coming with 2:46 left in the overtime period. The score would remain tied until the game-winning jumper by Bennett, who finished the game with eight points and five assists.

Eppehimer led Marist on the offensive side, finishing with five converted three pointers, and 24 points. It was the third straight 24+ point effort from the senior, and the fifth 20+ point game of his collegiate career. Brandon Ellerbee continued his strong play, scoring 18 points, including three consecutive three-pointers in the waning moments of the first half. Ellerbee led the Red Foxes on the boards as well, pulling down a career-best nine rebounds in the win.

Rider (2-2, 0-2 MAAC) was paced by Jerry Johnson's 25 points, 21 which came after the halftime intermission.

Marist held a 55-41 lead with 12 minutes left in the second half when Johnson scored eight points in a 14-2 Rider run that cut the lead to 57-55.

Rider then took a 65-62 lead with 1:00 remaining before Eppehimer's 3-pointer with 34 seconds left sent the game into overtime.

Chris Handy added a career-high 12 points, on an impressive 6-7 shooting night from the floor. Rookie Carl Hood scored the first points of his collegiate career on the night, when he converted a jumper from the right wing, 8:52 into the game. Siegrist finished the night with four points, but led the team with six assists, as well as pulling down five boards for the Red Foxes, who out-rebounded Rider 44-36.

Marist shot 43.5 percent from the floor, 27-62, while connecting on 33 percent (9-27) of its three point attempts. The Broncs were good 36.8 percent (25-68) from the field, and hit 10-31, 32.3 percent of their attempts from three-point land.

The Red Foxes return to action on Saturday, December 7th, as they take on ACC member Georgia Tech at Madison Square Garden. The middle game of a collegiate triple-header, the game is set to tip-off at 2:00 pm.