BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — Aliya McIver scored 16 points and Alena Cofield added 13 as Rider edged Canisius 55-53 in overtime in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Koessler Athletic Center.

In a contest defined by defense and missed opportunities, the Broncs secured just their second road victory of the season by outlasting the Golden Griffins in the extra period before an announced crowd of 473.

The game’s decisive sequence came in the final seconds of overtime. With the score tied at 53, Rider’s Alena Cofield drove and dished to Kaylan Deveney, who sank a 3-pointer from the wing with six seconds remaining. Canisius’s final attempt, a jump shot by Franka Wittenberg, missed as time expired.

The contest was a grind from the outset. Canisius led 13-12 after a first quarter that saw eight combined turnovers. The Golden Griffins’ offense then went cold, managing only five points in the second quarter as Rider took a 23-18 lead into halftime.

Rider maintained a narrow advantage through much of the second half, but could not put the game away. Canisius rallied late in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 45 on a driving layup by Wittenberg with 31 seconds left in regulation. Rider had a chance to win it, but a turnover gave the ball back to Canisius with eight seconds left. The Golden Griffins could not get a shot off, sending the game to overtime.

Wittenberg led all scorers with 17 points for Canisius. Yasmine Djibril added 13 points and a game-high four offensive rebounds for the Golden Griffins.

Deveney finished with nine points for Rider, including the game-winning three and two crucial free throws earlier in overtime. Emmy Roach contributed six points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 37 minutes for the Broncs.

Both teams struggled offensively throughout. The game featured 45 combined turnovers and numerous scoring droughts. Canisius was hampered by 12 giveaways from its starting backcourt.

The victory improved Rider to 7-19 overall. Canisius fell to 4-22. The game was the first of two meetings between the teams this season; they are scheduled to play again in Lawrenceville on March 5.

Rider next plays at Niagara on Saturday. Canisius will host Mount Saint Mary’s on Saturday.