Men's College Basketball

Rider University 54, Fairfield University 52 (ot)

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—There seems to be something about a world-wide audience that brings out the best in the Broncs. Maybe not in their play, but in their results.

In a game played on ESPN3 Thursday night, Rider made just seven of 14 foul shots in regulation, but made seven of 10 free throws in the final 2:30 of overtime to defeat Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.

It marked the fourth consecutive time this year that the Broncs, aka the Rider Ready for Prime Time Players, played a game on ESPN3 and won.

“These free throws are going to cost us one of these days,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett, “but once again we found a way to win. We've found ways all year.”

With 10.4 seconds left in overtime, Fairfield called a time out to avoid a jump ball call, but it was a time out they did not have left. “I feel bad for the young man that called the time out,' Baggett said. “That's a tough situation to be in.”

Rider junior Teddy Okereafor (London, England/VCU) made both technical foul shots to give Rider a 53-52 lead, the eighth and final lead change of the game. “I just cleared my mind and made them,” said Okereafor, Rider's best foul shooter at 75.0 percent.

Okereafor finished with 11 points, five in overtime, and was five for eight from the foul line.

For Rider (15-9, 9-4 MAAC), senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.) compiled his seventh 'double-double' with 20 points and a career-high 19 rebounds.  “Matt played really well for us, and Teddy came on at the end,” Baggett said.

The Broncs have now won five of their last seven games and 11 of their last 14.  Rider is 13-4 in its last 17 games.  Rider is now 7-2 at home this year.

Rider out-scored Fairfield (6-16, 4-8 MAAC) 7-0 over the final 4:00 of regulation, four points by Lopez, to tie the score at 43-43.

In overtime, Fairfield junior forward Marcus Gilbert scored six points, including two foul shots with 27 seconds left to give the Stags a 52-51 lead. “He was fantastic tonight, especially in the second half,” Baggett said of Fairfield's star.

Gilbert compiled a 'double-double' with 30 points and 13 rebounds in 44 minutes of work. Gilbert had five points at halftime.

With 1:22 left in overtime Rider junior Khalil Alford (Raleigh, NC/Fishburne Military) tipped in a missed foul shot to give Rider a 51-47 lead.  Alford finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

Fairfield out-scored Rider 17-4, 10 points by Gilbert, to take a 43-36 lead with 4:05 left in regulation. “We knew we had to keep our composure at that point and just stay focused,” Lopez said.  “We are a veteran team so that is one thing we pride ourselves on.”

Rider jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first 10 minutes, six points by Lopez, and led 20-13 at the half on 10 Lopez points.

Rider defeated Fairfield 62-46 on January 5 after leading 24-13 at the half.

Both teams shot 33.3 percent from the field for the game.  “We struggled,” Baggett said. “Some night it's not pretty but at the end of the day we continue to find ways to win. We need to make some more shots, that's for sure.”

These two teams have now met 57 times since the series began in 1951-52, with Rider winning 28, including the last four and 11 of the last 19. Rider is 21-18 against Fairfield since joining the MAAC, including 1-2 in postseason.

The victory gave Rider 15 wins, one more than what the Broncs finished with last season.

Rider returns home to host Manhattan Sunday at 2pm. “Every game is a big game for the rest of the season,” Baggett said.

At halftime of that game members of the 1963-64 Rider team that upset national power NYU will be honored. 

In that win over 30-point favorite NYU, the Broncs made two foul shots in the closing seconds of the 66-63 victory. 

Maybe it doesn't matter how many foul shots you make, as long as you make them when it counts.

-ru-