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Canisius University Athletics

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Franka and Cory
Joe Lehrman
61
Rider Rider 7-21,5-14 MAAC
77
Winner Canisius Canis 9-20,8-11 MAAC
Rider Rider
7-21,5-14 MAAC
61
Final
77
Canisius Canis
9-20,8-11 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Rider Rider 17 14 16 14 61
Canisius Canis 23 15 23 16 77

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women's Basketball Rolls Past Rider, Clinches Spot In MAAC Championship

Four Canisius players scored in double-figures as the Golden Griffins posted their highest scoring output of the season en route to a 77-61 victory over Rider Thursday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's basketball action at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

With the win, Canisius punched its ticket to the 2025 MAAC Women's Basketball Championship in Atlantic City, N.J., clinching the final spot in the tournament with an 8-11 conference record and 9-20 overall ledger. Rider was eliminated from postseason contention with the loss that moved the Broncs to 5-14 in league action and 7-21 overall.

The Griffs were led by sophomore Shariah Gailes, who tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The Brooklyn, Ohio native went 6-for-11 from the field and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe while grabbing three offensive rebounds in the winning cause.

Sophomore Mary Copple recorded one of the best shooting nights in her career after she hit 4-of-6 shots from 3-point land for 12 points. Graduate student Jaela Johnson chipped in 11 points and dished out a game-high six assists, while junior Franka Wittenberg scored 12 points and collected six boards. She also shot 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Canisius ended the game shooting 50.0 percent from the field (28-for-56), making 13-of-16 tosses from the free throw line and shooting 42.1 percent from behind the 3-point arc (8-for-19).

Three Rider players scored in double-figures, led by Gabby Turco, who posted a game-high 18 points. Winner Bartholomew added 15 points and five rebounds, as the Broncs shot 37.5 percent from the field and just 7.7 percent (1-for-13) from 3-point range.

The Broncs jumped out to their only lead of the game early in the first quarter, leading 6-2 at the 7:42 mark of the first stanza before free throws by Wittenberg and a 3-pointer from Copple pushed the Griffs in front, 7-6. Canisius controlled play for the reminder of the opening frame, ending the quarter on a 21-11 run to take a 23-17 lead after the game's first 10 minutes. 

Rider tied the game 27-27 with 5:58 left before halftime, but five quick points from senior Xanthippi Karatasiou quieted the Broncs' attack, allowing the Griffs to take a 38-31 lead into the locker room at intermission.

Out of the break, the Griffs came out on fire, as senior Cory Santoro knocked down two treys in the span of 30 seconds to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 15 points at 46-31.

Canisius continued their hot shooting during the final quarter as Johnson and Gailes combined to nine of the Griffs' 16 fourth-quarter points to help push Canisius' lead to as many as 22 points before settling on the 16-point margin of victory. 

POST GAME COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH TIFFANY SWOFFARD
 
GAME NOTES 
• Thursday's match up marked the 54th meeting between Rider and Canisius, with the Broncs now holding a 35-19 lead in the all-time series.
• Canisius swept Rider in the season 2024-25 regular-season series, outscoring the Broncs by 36 combined points in the two meetings.
• The 77 points for the Griffs are the most for the team since Nov.11, 2023 when Canisius scored 78 points in a home victory over Saint Francis (Pa.).
• Gailes captured her 227 rebound of the season in Thursday's contest, the third-most by a sophomore in program history.
• Thursday marked the fifth time this season Gailes has grabbed 12-or more rebounds in a game.
• Johnson posted her fifth game of the season where she totaled six or-more assists. She has recorded at least 10 points and five assists in five different games this season.
• The Griffs out-rebounded the Broncs, 42-28, highlighted by a 31-17 advantage on the defensive glass. Four Canisius players recorded five-or more rebounds in the win for the Blue and Gold.

UP NEXT
Canisius closes out its regular season schedule Saturday with a home contest against Saint Peter's. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Saturday's game will also serve as the team's Senior Day where the program will recognize Jaela Johnson, Xanthippi Karatasiou, Cory Santoro and Sara Carvajal Caro 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. For tickets to Saturday's regular-season finale, CLICK HERE.

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