LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's basketball team shot nearly 70 percent in the second half to defeat Fairfield, 68-52, Friday night at Alumni Gym. With the win, the Broncs' third-straight, Rider improves to 12-8 (6-4 MAAC), while the Stags slip to 8-12 (4-5 MAAC).

The two teams shot an identical 37.5 percent (9-24) in the first half, with Fairfield using a 9-0 run to surge ahead and built its lead to as many as seven, 29-22, with 1:06 remaining in the period. But Rider scored the final four points of the half to close to within three at the break.

Rider used a 15-0 run early in the second half to retake the lead and push it to double digits. Five different Broncs scored in the run, led by Willy Nuñez, Jr.'s (Orlando, FL/Oak Ridge [Florida International]) five points, while Tyere Marshall (Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King/Putnam Science) added four points.

The Broncs shot 69.6 percent (16-23) in the second half and would extend the advantage to as many as 18 on a long Stevie Jordan (Bensalem, PA/Conwell-Egan/API) jumper with just over a minute remaining in regulation.

Quotes & Notes
"Great team win. I thought Fairfield really defended well, especially in the first half. In the second half, I thought we got up and down a little bit more and forced the tempo. One thing that came out of the locker room that, as a coach, you appreciate – Freddie Scott said, 'hey fellas, I struggled tonight. But I'm happy for everybody. I'm happy that the next guy stepped up and the next guy stepped up.' And, if we're going to win, it's going to take different guys every night." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- Rider has won four-straight over Fairfield to cut the Stags' lead in the all-time series to 34-32.  
- With the win, the Broncs kept pace with a crowded top of the MAAC Standings. Monmouth and Quinnipiac are both 6-3, while Rider is joined by Siena and Saint Peter's at 6-4.
- The Broncs return to action Sunday, when they travel to hOURglass Rival Monmouth. Opening tip from
the OceanFirst Bank Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.  
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Dimencio Vaughn (New York, NY/Callaway/The Masters School) led Rider with 15 points and seven rebounds. He made 6-of-10 attempts from the floor, including 1-of-2 three-point attempts and added a pair of free throws.
- Jordan and Nuñez, Jr. each added 10 points. Jordan added four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Nuñez, Jr. made 4-of-5 attempts, including 2-of-3 from long range, and grabbed six rebounds.
- Marshall chipped in with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed five boards.
- Christian Ings (Philadelphia, PA/Neumann-Goretti) and Kimar Williams (Philadelphia, PA/Constitution [Florida International]) each added eight points. Ings was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, while Williams shot 3-of-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the stripe, while grabbing five rebounds.
- Rider outshot Fairfield, 53.2 percent (25-47) to 35.4 percent (17-48) for the game, including a 69.6 percent (16-23) to 33.3 percent (8-24) advantage in the second half. 
- Rider's 53.2 percent shooting was a season high and marked the fifth time this season that the Broncs have shot 50 percent or better.
- The Broncs took a 31-28 edge on the glass, marking the 16^th time in 20 games this season that they've outrebounded the opposition.
- Rider took a 38-16 edge in points in the paint, as well as a 27-13 margin in bench scoring.
- The Broncs also outscored Fairfield off turnovers (15-7) and in fast-break points (12-3).