For Immediate Release: December 2, 2006
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Rider derails Binghamton men's home win streak with 79-65 victory

Box Score
Postgame Quotes

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Rider junior forward Jason Thompson posted game-highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore guard Lamar Johnson netted 13 points in a 2:52 span late in the game to lead the Broncs (5-2) to a 79-65 win over host Binghamton (3-3) in a men's college basketball game Saturday afternoon from the Events Center. The loss denies the Bearcats their first 3-0 start at home at the Division I level.

With the score knotted at 60-60 with 4:36 left, Johnson scored seven points during a 9-0 Rider run that gave them the lead for good. During the stretch, BU turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions.

After lighting up the scoreboard in the first half to the tune of a season-high 42 points, BU went cold in the second, managing just nine field goals (26%). In contrast, the Broncs shot 52% and then sealed the victory with 11-of-12 marksmanship from the free throw line.

"I thought we defended fairly well and got out in transition," head coach Al Walker said of his team's first half play. "But we couldn't get the job done defensively in the second half."

Senior forward Duane James (Miami, Fla.) led BU with 16 points, but played only 14 minutes after absorbing a blow to the head early in the second half. James returned in the closing minutes but the outcome had been decided. He hit 5-of-7 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds.

Freshman forward Lazar Trifunovic (Belgrade, Serbia) and junior guard Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J.) scored 10 points apiece. Trifunovic pulled down seven rebounds in his longest stint of the season (33 minutes). Gordon scored all of his points in the first half. Sophomore guard Dwayne Jackson (Akron, Ohio) earned his first collegiate start and added nine points, four rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes of work.

Binghamton continues its three-game homestand when they host Akron on December 6 for a 7 p.m. contest.

NOTES: Duane James was named the America East Player of the Game ... sophomore forward Ian Milne didn't suit up for the game with an illness.