LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Freshman guard Makayla Firebaugh (Winchester, VA/James Wood) scored a career-high 19 points, but it was not enough as the Rider University women's basketball team fell at home to Fairfield, 70-59, on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gym in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action.
 
The Stags (4-1, 3-0 MAAC) broke open a close game by outscoring the Broncs (1-9, 0-5 MAAC) by 11 points over the final 10 minutes.
 
Rider jumped out to an early advantage thanks to holding Fairfield to just seven points and three made field goals during the first quarter. The Stags answered back in the second frame and closed the first half on a 12-0 run to take a 34-29 edge into the break.
 
The Broncs finished the third quarter with the final six points of the stanza thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from senior Daija Moses (Toronto, Ontario/Henry Street) and Firebaugh. Firebaugh's trey knotted the contest at 48 heading into the fourth.
 
The Stags scored the first five points of the fourth and held the lead throughout the remainder of regulation.
 
It was a two-headed attack for the Broncs with Firebaugh and Maya Hyacienth (Nottingham, UK/City of London Academy) both scoring in double figures. The reigning MAAC Rookie and Player of the Week combined for 36 points on 50 percent (12-of-24) shooting from the field.

QUOTES & NOTES
"It was a good game. We were ready and prepared for the fourth quarter. We just showed a little hesitation offensively. Fairfield is a veteran team. The best part is we get to go back out there and play again tomorrow. I just told the team I wish it was two o'clock already. I know the things I saw today and we can make a couple of adjustments. I felt good about a lot of the stuff we did today. The only way you're going to get better is to be out there." – Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan

- Fairfield leads the all-time series with Rider, 40-13.  
- The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Broncs against the Stags.   
- Rider knocked down a season-high 11 three-pointers in the win.
- The Broncs hit 10 or more three-pointers for the second game in a row.  
- Rider won the battle of the boards, 32-29.
- The Broncs had 11 offensive rebounds in the game. It was their fifth straight game with 11 or more offensive boards.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Firebaugh made a career-high four three-pointers. She scored in double figures for the third game in a row and the fifth time this season. Firebaugh also had five rebounds and one assist.
- Coming off a career-high 20-point performance last time out, Hyacienth had 17 points thanks to knocking down a career-best four threes.
- Off the bench, Lenaejha Evans had seven points.
- Daija Moses had six points and six rebounds for the Broncs.
- Amanda Mobley recorded her 200th career assist in the second quarter. She finished the day with three assists, five rebounds and two steals.
 
UP NEXT
Rider and Fairfield close out a weekend of MAAC play on Sunday, January 3. Opening tip is slated for 2:00 pm.