GAME 20 – Sunday, January 29, 2023
Rider Broncs (10-9, 7-3 MAAC) vs. Fairfield Stags (10-10, 6-4 MAAC)
Location: Fairfield, CT – Leo D. Mahoney Arena
Tip: 2 p.m.
Live Video – ESPN3
Live Audio – 107.7 The Bronc Retro
Live Stats – FairfieldStags.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/RiderMBB
 
What You Need To Know
- Rider travels to Fairfield Sunday, with both teams bringing four-game winning streaks into the contest. Only Quinnipiac's six-game streak is currently longer.
- Following a three-game losing skid, the Broncs have won their next four, including a dramatic 70-67 win at Iona, erasing an 18-point second-half deficit and snapping the Gaels' 21-game home winning streak. The Broncs have trailed at the half in all four games and erased double-digit deficits in three.
- Rider outscored Marist, 26-5, to start the second half on Jan. 27. Rider trailed by 14 in the first half, closed the deficit one at the half and ran away with the win.
- Mervin James was named MAAC and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week after averaging 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in the wins over Niagara and Manhattan. He shot 93.8 percent (15-16) from the free-throw line, making several pivotal free throws late to secure the close wins. James is the first Bronc to win the Met award since Teddy Okereafor in 2015-16.
- Dwight Murray, Jr. continues to be the Broncs' do-it-all point guard, averaging 16.4 ppg., shooting 36.3 percent from deep. Murray's 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game are best on the team and his 4.6 rebounds are third.
- Fairfield leads the all-time series, 37-34, including wins in each of the last three.  Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett's teams are 10-9 against the Stags, including a 3-2 mark in games played on Fairfield's campus. However, this year's meeting will take a new feel at the brand new Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
- The Stags are led by Supreme Cook at 13.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Caleb Field also averages in double figures at 12.2 points per game to go along with 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. TJ Long (9.7 ppg.), Allan Jean-Rose (8.8 ppg., 2.3 apg.) and Jake Wojcik (6.4 ppg.) have also been solid contributors.
- 11th-year Head Coach Kevin Baggett's teams have posted a 171-161 record. Baggett won MAAC Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018.
- Only John Carpenter (292) and Thomas Leyden (187) have more wins at Rider.
- Listen to all Rider men's and women's home games this season, along with select road games, on 107.7 The Bronc Retro WRRC2. Tune in online at 1077TheBronc.com, or download our free Google Play, Apple, Alexa, Audacy and MyTuner apps and skills. Search and download: WRRC2.