Who: Rider (13-15, 9-10) at Iona (19-9, 16-3)

When: Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Hynes Athletic Center

TV: ESPN3

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Canisius, 79-66; Iona lost to Manhattan, 80-77 in OT

Previous Meeting: Iona won 80-77 on Feb. 21

Background: The Broncs close out the regular-season slate at the Gaels, who have already clinched the top seed in the MAAC tournament and a NIT bid should they fail to earn the league's automatic NCAA berth.

 

Rider has lost six of its last seven, slipping from fifth place to sixth meaning it will have to play in the opening round of the conference tournament.

The Broncs can finish anywhere from sixth to eighth depending on tiebreakers. If they beat Iona, they'll finish in 6th. Both Marist and St. Peter's are one game behind Rider and can force tiebreaker scenarios with a Broncs loss and win.

 

"We just got to stay optimistic and just hope we can make a run in the tournament," senior guard Anthony Myles said. "We can't go into the tournament with our heads down. If that's the case, we might as well just stay here."

 

In the first meeting between these two, Rider — sparked by Jimmie Taylor's 13 points in the final three minutes — cut a 13-point deficit to one and had a chance to tie, but Myles badly missed a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining.

 

Iona is coming off a loss to crosstown rival Manhattan in overtime and although the Gaels already have the regular-season crowned locked up, they likely aren't in the mood to go into the conference tournament on back-to-back losses.

 

Iona leads the nation in 3-pointers made per game, averaging 10.4. Both Sean Armand and Isaiah Williams shoot the long ball at over 41 percent.

 

"Guys have to continue to compete," Rider head coach Kevin Baggett said. "We have to keep our heads up when things don't go our way. We have to make some winning plays. That's something that's been at a loss of late. We just haven't been making winning plays."

Projected Starting Lineups: Rider: G-Jimmie Taylor (Fr., 12 ppg) G-Anthony Myles (Sr., 16.1 ppg), G-Tommy Pereira (Sr., 4.8 ppg), F-Danny Stewart (Sr., 15 ppg), F-Kahlil Thomas (Fr., 6 ppg).

Iona: G-A.J. English (So., 17.5 ppg), G-Sean Armand (Sr., 17.6 ppg), G-Tre Bowman (Sr., 13.3 ppg), G-Mike Poole (Sr., 5.9 ppg), G-Isaiah Williams (So., 10.7 ppg).