NCAA Game Summary - Monmouth vs. Rider

Springfield, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Daniel Stewart finished with 25 points and nine rebounds as the Rider Broncs coasted to a 71-60 victory over the Monmouth Hawks in the opening game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament at the MassMutual Center.

Stewart made six of his nine attempts from the floor and converted 12-of-14 shots at the charity stripe for Rider (14-16), which will play the top-seeded Iona Gaels in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Anthony Myles added 13 points, while Jimmie Taylor tallied 12 points and five boards.

Deon Jones paced the Hawks (11-21) with 18 points. Josh James contributed 11 points and six assists, while Andrew Nicholas scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Stewart netted 14 points and the Broncs shot 40 percent from the floor in the first half en route to a 33-25 halftime lead. Monmouth committed nine turnovers and was outscored, 9-4- at the free-throw line in the opening period.

Jones was unstoppable after the break as he knocked down all five of his field goal tries and went 6-of-6 at the charity stripe for 16 second half points. Although the Hawks connected on 61.9 percent of their shots from the floor in the second half, they missed both of their 3-point field goal attempts in the period. Monmouth managed to take a 46-38 lead by the 11:19 mark of the second stanza, but Rider responded with a 17-2 run that put it in front for good.

The Broncs converted Monmouth's 21 turnovers into 30 points and outscored the Hawks, 21-3, from beyond the arc.