FAIRFIELD, CT – Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) scored a team-high 16 points, but the Rider University men's basketball team fell at Fairfield, 84-67, Thursday night at Leo D. Mahoney Arena. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 8-15 (5-7 MAAC), while the Stags improved to 14-9 (8-4 MAAC).

Fairfield scored off the opening tip and led for much of the first half, building an advantage of as many as 10, 32-22, following a Jalen Leach three-pointer at the 6:13 mark. But the Broncs would outscore Fairfield, 17-3, over the final six-plus minutes of the period, including the final 10, to take a 39-35 lead into the break. Tariq Ingraham (Philadelphia, PA/Bonner-Prendergast [Wake Forest]) and Allen Powell (Philadelphia, PA/La Salle College HS) led Rider with six points apiece in the run. Ingraham's bucket in the paint at the 1:12 mark gave Rider its first lead of the game, 36-35, before Powell buried a three with 26 seconds left on the Broncs' next possession.

Ingraham and Corey McKeithan (Windsor, CT/Windsor) led Rider with eight points apiece in the period. The Broncs shot 54.5 percent (12-22) from the floor and 100 percent (11-11) from the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes.

Fairfield took its first lead of the second half on a Leach three at the 16:08 mark and, after Powell and James responded with five straight on a three and lay-up, respectively, to retake a 50-46 advantage at the 15:03 mark, the Stags responded with a 12-2 run and never trailed again. McKeithan's three with 6:15 left cut the deficit to 66-62. But Fairfield outscored Rider, 18-5, to close the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
(On difficulty playing Fairfield this season) "When you don't play tough, you don't block out, you don't rebound, let guys back you in, do those things – they're just playing tougher than we are."

"We started the game plan sluggish. I don't know why. I have no idea why. Then we finally started to pick it up, take the lead. Then the first four minutes (of the second half), again, like the last game, you don't come out ready to play and the next thing you know, they have a lead and they never relinquish the lead." – Rider Head Coach Kevin Baggett

- Fairfield leads the all-time series with the Broncs, 39-36, sweeping this year's regular-season series.
- Rider led at the half for the ninth time this season, falling for just the second time (7-2) when in possession of the lead after 20 minutes.  
- Rider moved to 3-12 on the road this year.  

Broncs by the Numbers
- James scored his 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed five rebounds.
- Powell added 11 points on 4-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He matched his season and career high of six assists, while committing just one turnover.
- McKeithan added 11 points on 3-of-7 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from long range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also dished out four assists.  
- Ingraham added 10 points on 4-of-8 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line and grabbed five rebounds.
- DJ Dudley (San Diego, CA/LA Premier Prep) chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench, making 2-of-3 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also added two assists.
- T.J. Weeks Jr. (Warwick, RI/Bishop Hendricken Catholic [UMass]) added eight points on 3-of-6 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from long range.
- Anthony McCall (Philadelphia, PA/Academy of the New Church) chipped in with four points on 2-of-3 shooting and grabbed three rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.
- Fairfield outshot Rider, 53.4 percent (31-58) to 47.8 percent (22-46) from the floor, including a 60.0 percent (18-30) to 41.7 percent (10-24) advantage in the second half.
- The Stags outshot the Broncs, 52.4 percent (11-21) to 41.2 percent (7-17) from beyond the arc.
- Rider took an 88.9 percent (16-18) to 68.8 percent (11-16) edge from the free-throw line.
- Both teams grabbed 27 rebounds.
- Fairfield took advantages of 12-2 off turnovers, 32-24 in the paint, 12-4 on second chances and 18-3 on fast breaks.  
- Both teams' benches scored 11 points.
   
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday night, when they play host to Marist. Tip-off from Alumni Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.