The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team got a 13-point, eight assist performance from senior Alyssa Monaghan, but the Hawks' late rally came up short as they fell to Rider, 56-54, in the opening game of the 25th Hawk Classic at Hagan Arena on Saturday.

The Hawks (1-4) will play Loyola Maryland in the consolation game at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

In a tight game that featured 11 lead changes, the Hawks made it a two-point game, 56-54, with 37 seconds to play on a pair of Monaghan free throws.

Back on defense, Saint Joseph's forced a backcourt violation to regain possession with :14.4 left to play. 

Out of a timeout, SJU's Katie Jekot drove the lane only to have her shot miss its mark as Rider's Amari Johnson grabbed the rebound and was fouled with four seconds to go.

At the other end, Johnson missed both free throws, but the Broncs gained control on a tie up off the rebound and Mia Farmer went to the line for free throws after being fouled on the inbound.

After missing the first, Farmer's second shot glanced off the rim and into the hands of Jekot. Turning up court quickly, Jekot's long three attempt fell short as the horn sounded.

For the game, Saint Joseph's shot 36.7 percent from the field (18-of-49), 28.6 percent from three-point range (6-of-21) and 70.6 percent from the foul line (12-of-17).

Jekot was the only other Hawk in double figures, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds. Senior Whisper Fisher added a career-best eight points to go with four rebounds and an assist.

Rider (2-3) got a game-high 17 points from Johnson as the Broncs shot 40.4 percent from the field (21-of-52), hit 5-of-15 from behind the arc and went 9-of-19 from the foul line (47.4 percent).

Game Notes: SJU is now 5-1 all-time versus Rider...Monaghan also added five rebounds...Lula Rogi finished with five points and two assists...Kristalyn Baisden scored five points and grabber four rebounds...Katie Mayock grabbed five rebounds and had three points and two assists...Mary Sheehan finished with four points...Michala Clay grabbed a rebound...Elizabeth Marsicano played two minutes.

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