GAME NOTES: The Rider Broncs will try to return to the win column when they take on the Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds this evening in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference battle at Reitz Arena. On the heels of their 10-game winning streak, the Broncs have hit a bump in the road, losing two straight matchups to Siena (80-77) and most recently Fairfield (88-76). The back-to-back losses have dropped Rider's league mark to 11-4 on the year, which places the team in a tie with Siena for first place. As for the Greyhounds, they have won three of their last five games, including a thrilling, 83-76 overtime victory over Siena this past Friday. The Greyhounds are now 10-5 in league play, tying them with Niagara for second place in the MAAC. Loyola has played well at home, winning eight of its 10 matchups at Reitz Arena. The Broncs have a strong, 19-11 edge in the all-time series over Loyola-Maryland and that includes the team's 81-67 victory over the Greyhounds earlier this year.

Although the Broncs are in the midst of a minor slump the team is still very dangerous, mainly because of the tandem of Jason and Ryan Thompson. The brothers have been the main source of production for Rider, which is posting 77.9 ppg on the year. Jason Thompson is averaging a double-double on the year, netting 20.1 ppg, while grabbing 11.8 rpg. As for the younger Thompson, Ryan is contributing 15.0 ppg to go along with 6.3 rpg and a team-best 97 assists. Harris Mansell rounds out the double-figure performers for Rider, as the guard is chipping in 13.3 ppg. The last time Rider took the floor, the Broncs were upset by the Fairfield Stags, 88-76. In the shocking loss, it was once again Jason Thompson who led the way, as the forward scored a team-high 20 points. Unfortunately Ryan Thompson did not have a memorable performance, as the guard was just 1-of-9 from the field, finishing the game with only six points and six assists. Mansell contributed 16 points for the Broncs, while Kamron Warner chipped in 12 points off the bench in the loss.

The Greyhounds are playing quality basketball at the right time of the season and head into this game netting a solid 72.1 ppg, while shooting a mediocre 43.0 percent from the floor. Gerald Brown is without question the top option for the Greyhounds, as the guard is netting 19.0 ppg to go along with 5.0 rpg. Marquis Sullivan has been solid from behind the arc for Loyola, as the guard is shooting 40.3 percent from long range, while netting 11.6 ppg on the year. In the paint the Greyhounds have relied on Michael Tuck to do the dirty work, and so far the big man is chipping in 11.2 ppg to go along with a team-high 7.1 rpg. Loyola needed overtime the last time the team took the floor, but the Greyhounds were able to grab a thrilling, seven-point win over Siena. Loyola shot 45.5 percent from the field in the win, and also connected on an impressive 25-of-27 attempts from the foul line. Brett Harvey led the way with 19 points, while Tuck posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Rudolph also contributed 15 points, while Sullivan chipped in 10.

This should be a thrilling game from start to finish. The Broncs are in the midst of a small slump and although the team is on the road, expect Rider to rebound and jump back into the win column.