rf-bas
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) -- Jerry Johnson scored 26 points and Rider used a 9-2 run over the final 3:18 to take its fourth straight victory, 78-73, over St. Peter's in a rare nationally televised game for the mid-major schools.
After losing all three games to St. Peter's last year, league-leading Rider (13-7, 9-2 MAAC) swept the regular season series from the Peacocks (9-11, 4-7) and snapped St. Peter's three-game win streak.
Keydren Clark, the nation's leading scorer, scored 32 points for the Peacocks, including the 2,000th of his career, and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Clark's three-pointer gave St. Peter's its final lead at 71-69, but Jerry Johnson then tied it with two free throws and Paul Johnson's driving layup gave Rider 73-71 advantage. It was the game's 14th and final lead change, to go along with 15 ties.
With the Broncs holding a 75-73 edge, Todd Sowell blocked a shot by Jerry Johnson, but Terrance Watkins lost the ball and Rider capitalized with two foul shots by Terrance Mouton with 21.8 seconds left. Clark then tried driving to the hoop, but Jerry Johnson knocked the ball away to Robert Taylor, who was fouled and made one free throw with 11.3 seconds left to seal it.
Clark, the school's all-time leading scorer, scored his 2,000th point with 3:45 remaining the first half when his foul shot completed a three-point play. He had 20 points in the first half but shot just 4-for-14 in the second half and was scoreless of the final 3:43.
Paul Johnson had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Edwin Muniz had 10 points and Jason Thompson added nine points and 11 rebounds for Rider. St. Peter's got 11 points and nine rebounds from Ron Yates, while Ivan Bozovic had 10 points and eight rebounds.
