LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College HS) scored 21 points and Dimencio Vaughn (New York, NY/Callaway/The Masters School [Ole Miss]) added 17 points and nine rebounds, but the Rider University men's basketball team fell to Fairfield, 76-65, Friday night at Alumni Gym. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 6-13 (2-7 MAAC), while the Stags are now 10-10 (4-5 MAAC).
 
After Vaughn scored on the Broncs' first possession, Fairfield went on a 10-0 run to open up an early lead. The advantage stretched to 15 on another 8-0 run capped by a Jesus Cruz three at the 1:23 mark before Rider ended the period with a Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) lay-up and a Vaughn three-pointer to cut the deficit to 34-24 at the break. Vaughn led the Broncs with nine points in the first 20 minutes.

Following a Fairfield three-pointer to open the second-half scoring, Rider went on a 9-0 run, sparked by a Powell three-point play to draw to within four. Later, six-straight Rider points, including the last four from Vaughn made it a three-point Fairfield lead with 12:58 remaining. But Fairfield compiled 10-straight points to push its lead to 14 and maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

Quotes & Notes
"It's been very inconsistent all year long. One night, one or two guys will play good. The other nights, one or two guys. I'm not seeing us put it together where we have four or five guys playing and doing the things that we need them to do." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- Rider had won six-straight meetings with Fairfield to even the series at 34-34 prior to a 72-56 setback in the second game of a weekend series on Jan. 2, 2021.  The Stags now lead the series, 36-34.
- The Broncs wrap up a weekend homestand vs. Canisius Sunday. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Alumni Gym on ESPN3.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Powell made 7-of-13 attempts from the floor, 3-of-7 from long range and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.
- Vaughn was 7-of-15 from the floor. Five of his game-high nine rebounds came on the offensive glass.
- James added eight points on 4-of-8 shooting.
- Dwight Murray, Jr. (Austell, GA/Pebblebrook [Incarnate Word]) added seven points and six rebounds, but shot just 2-of-15 from the floor.
- Fairfield outshot the Broncs, 51.9 percent (28-54) to 38.5 percent (25-65) from the floor, including a 37.9 percent (11-29) to 26.7 percent (4-15) margin from long range.
- A Rider opponent shot over 50 percent for the first time this season.
- The Broncs took a 78.6 percent (11-14) to 75.0 percent (9-12) edge from the free-throw line.
- The Broncs outrebounded Fairfield, 36-33.