Preview: Rider Looks to Build on Upset, Visits First-Place Marist POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Rider Broncs, fresh off one of their best performances of the season, face a steep challenge Thursday night when they visit the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-leading Marist Red Foxes. The game at McCann Recreation Center pits teams at opposite ends of the league standings. Marist (15-7 overall) sits atop the MAAC and has won seven of its last nine games, including a commanding 71-49 victory at Rider just over three weeks ago on Jan. 11. The Red Foxes are coming off a defensive-minded 58-46 win at Niagara on Sunday. Rider (3-18) enters with momentum from an 81-78 home upset of Saint Peter’s on Feb. 1, snapping a five-game losing streak. The Broncs’ season has been defined by struggles, but guard Flash Burton has been a consistent bright spot. He is coming off a 25-point, six-rebound effort in the win and has averaged 21.2 points over his last seven contests. His production will be critical; in the first meeting with Marist, he was held to just two points in 17 minutes. Marist counters with guard Rhyjon Blackwell, who scored 12 points in the earlier win over Rider. He is averaging 13.8 points over his last five games and provides a steady backcourt presence for a Red Foxes team that ranks among the conference’s best defensively. The Red Foxes have dominated the recent series, winning the last four meetings. For Rider to break that streak, they will need another high-level outing from Burton and must improve significantly on their 32.1% shooting from the field in the January loss. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Marist will look to protect its conference standing, while Rider aims to prove its recent upset was a sign of a turnaround.