POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Senior
Zaria Shazer tallied 27 points and eight rebounds to lead Marist women's basketball past MAAC foe Rider at home, 65-55, Thursday evening inside of McCann Arena.
Kiara Fisher added 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the victory, while Lexie Tarul contributed eight points to help Marist earn its first MAAC victory of the 2023-24 season.
With the victory, Marist improves to 3-11 on the campaign and 1-3 in the MAAC, while Rider falls to 4-9 overall and 1-3 in conference play on the 2023-24 season.
FIRST QUARTER
The two sides were nearly even through the first 6:16 of play, with Marist carrying an 8-5 lead into the media timeout. The two sides remained nearly deadlocked through the end of the frame, with the Red Foxes taking a 12-11 lead into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
After falling behind 13-12 in the frame, Marist responded with a swift 6-0 run, backed by a Lexie Tarul three to give the Red Foxes an 18-13 lead.
The Broncs responded with an 8-0 run to take a 21-18 lead with just over 2:30 remaining before halftime. However, a Zaria Shazer layup and a three-pointer from Julia Corsentino gave the Red Foxes a 23-21 lead that they'd take into the break.
THIRD QUARTER
The Red Foxes came storming out of the break, outsourcing the Broncs 10-5 over the first 2:33 of action in the frame to take a 33-26 lead.
After Rider cut the Marist lead to 33-31, Marist responded with another 10-5 run, powered by six points from Shazer to extend the Red Foxes' lead to 43-36 with 3:03 left in the third.
After Rider pulled within three, Corsentino and Fisher scored on layups to give the Red Foxes a seven-point advantage entering the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER
Rider was able to pull within three points with 4:51 remaining in regulation before Shazer scored four straight points to extend the Marist lead to seven with just under four minutes left in the fourth.
The Broncs would cut it to as close as four points in the fourth, but it wasn't enough, as the Red Foxes held on to secure the 65-55 victory.
STATS
- With the win, the Red Foxes earned their first MAAC victory of the season
- The win was the first conference victory for head coach Erin Doughty while at the helm of the program
- The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak for Marist
- Zaria Shazer led Marist with 25 points and added eight rebounds in the victory
- Shazer has scored 20 or more points 16 times in her career
- Kiara Fisher added 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists
- Her nine rebounds are a new career-high for the senior
- Fisher has tallied five or more assists in five straight appearances
- Lexie Tarul added eight points, knocking down two three-pointers in the process
- Tarul has made a three-pointer in 13 of Marist's 14 games this season
NEXT TIME OUT
- The Red Foxes will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 13, when Marist continues MAAC play at home against Niagara.
- It will be Marist's first-ever sensory-sensitive basketball game.
- Tip-off from McCann Arena is set for 4 p.m.
To stay updated with all Marist women's basketball news, follow the program on Twitter/Instagram @MaristWBB or visit goredfoxes.com/sports/womens-basketball.
