LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Junior guard Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) tied a career-high with 35 points to help the Rider University women's basketball team erase a 14-point second-half deficit en route to a 62-59 victory against Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Broncs (5-7, 1-0 MAAC) snapped a two-game home losing streak with the come-from-behind win, while the Stags, (3-10, 0-2 MAAC) dropped their second straight conference clash.

Trailing by 14 midway through the third quarter, Rider ended the frame on a 9-0 run capped by a jumper from junior Amari Johnson (Red Lion, PA/Dallastown) as Fairfield took a 45-40 edge into the fourth quarter.

The Broncs would cut the deficit to just two points thanks to a three-pointer from Stella Johnson to open the fourth. However, the Stags responded with a spurt of their own to build a nine-point lead at 55-46 following a three-pointer with 5:12 left in regulation. Over the next three and a half minutes of action, Rider would go on an 11-5 run capped by another trey from Stella to tie the game at 57 with 2:07 left in regulation.

With 32 seconds left in regulation, Stella gave Rider their first lead since early in the second quarter thanks to knocking down a pair of free throws. On the ensuing possession, Fairfield would tie the game at 59 with a pair of free throws.

With 2.8 seconds left, Stella delivered what proved to be the game-winning bucket with a driving lay-up. Fairfield would turn it over on the next inbounds play and Stella would cap the scoring in the game with a free throw.
Stella led the Bronc attack with 35 points, while Amari was also in double figures with 10 points.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Welcome to MAAC play. It felt good to get back on the court. I think we were anxious. I think we did a terrific job making halftime adjustments and the young ladies really followed through with the adjustments. We stayed the course, even when we were trailing. It was a typical Rider-Fairfield game that comes down to the final possession." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

"Everyone in the locker room was excited today. We really wanted to get the win. It's the start of a new season now." – Junior Stella Johnson

"Stella does what she needs to do to help the team win. All she cares about is winning. The best thing about Stella is that she doesn't have to shoot every time down the court for us to be successful." – Milligan  

- Rider has now won three straight games against the Stags.
- The victory was the first for the Broncs against Fairfield at home since January of 2013 (ending a five-game skid).
- The win also snapped a streak of six straight losses for the Broncs in conference home openers.
- With 23 seconds left in the game, Amari Johnson blocked a shot in the post for the Broncs which energized the crowd.
- Rider had six blocks in the game. The Broncs lead the MAAC in blocks per game. It was Rider's seventh game this season with four or more blocks.
- Rider had 15 assists and 13 turnovers. The Broncs are 4-0 this season when they have more assists than turnovers. Rider also forced 14 turnovers in the contest. The Broncs are also 4-0 this year when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Stella tied a career-high with 35 points. She hit 13-of-19 shots from the field, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. She also added four rebounds, five assists and one steal. It was her second career MAAC game with over 30 points.
- Amari Johnson had a career-high four steals for the Broncs. She also added two blocks and five rebounds to go along with her 10 points.
- Off the bench, Mia Farmer had six points for Rider thanks to hitting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
- Senior point guard Lexi Posset had a game-high six assists to go along with one steal, two rebounds and three points. She also committed just one turnover for the Broncs in 37 minutes.
- Junior Lea Favre chipped in eight points on 4-of-7 shooting in the post for the hosts.

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Thursday, January 10, with a road MAAC showdown with hOURglass rival Monmouth that is slated to being at 11:30 am in West Long Branch. The Broncs are looking to avenge a 63-56 setback to the Hawks last season on the road.