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Lawrenceville, NJ - Rider opened the game on a 19-3 run en route to posting a 79-58 wire-to-wire victory over Wagner in non-conference action at Alumni Gymnasium.

With the win, the Broncs improve to 5-4 while the Seahawks fall to 5-6.

In defeat, seniors Kenneth Ortiz (Newark, NJ / Southern Mississippi) and Latif Rivers (Elizabeth, NJ / Avon Old Farms (CT)) each scored a team-best 12 points with junior Jay Harris (Aurora, IL / Valparaiso) chipping in with 10 points to round out the double-figure scorers for the Green & White.

Rider opened what would prove to be an insurmountable 18-point halftime advantage thanks to shooting 44.4 percent (12-of-27) from the field and 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from long range.Wagner, meanwhile,shot just 27.3 percent (9-of-33) from the field, including misfiring on all 10 three-point attempts, and were outrebounded 25-16.

After halftime, the Seahawks continued to fight and ripped off seven-straight points to trim the deficit to 44-34 with just over 14:40 remaining following a pair of Mario Moody (Jr., Jersey City, NJ / East Orange Campus) free throws. After the Broncs answered and pushed the lead back out to 14, the Green & White made its final push. Senior Naofall Folahan (Cotonou, Republic of Benin / Wilbraham & Monson Academy (MA)) hit a jumper and Rivers a three pointer to slice what was an 18-point halftime deficit to 51-42 with just under 11 minutes remaining. As was the case all day, Rider answered the visitors' spurt as Khalil Alford layup and the lead wouldn't drop below double-figures the rest of the way.

The Broncs advantage would grow to a game-high 22 points en route to the aforementioned 79-58 final.

Rider shot 65.0 percent (13-of-20) after halftime en route to converting 53.2 percent (25-of-47) for the game, including 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from long range, to help overcome 26 turnovers that led by a 22-17 Wagner advantage in points off turnovers. Unfortunately, the Seahawks shot just 32.8 percent (21-of-64) from the field, including 21.1 percent (12-of-23) from deep.

Folahan pulled down a team-best five rebounds to go along with seven points to lead the Green & White frontcourt while Ortiz added a game-high five assists and four steals.

Zedric Sadler scored a game-high 20 points and Daniel Stewart added 17 points while each pulling down a game-high eight rebounds to the lead the way for the Broncs.

Wagner returns to action at 2013 Sweet 16 participant La Salle on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 pm.

Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@wagnerathletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department, @WagnerHoops for news and updates on the men's basketball program and Bashir Mason">@BashirMason for news on the second-year coach.

Photography by Dave Saffran