Jan. 11, 2003
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Deng Gai tied his career high for scoring with 24 points, and added eight rebounds with four blocks in Fairfield University's (8-5 overall, 4-0 MAAC) 66-59 win over Rider University (5-7, 0-3). The Stags remain the only unbeaten team in MAAC play, and have won three straight games for the second time this season.
Fairfield jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on a three-point play by Kudjo Sogadzi and a reverse slam by Gai. Rider scored nine of the next 11 points which pushed the Broncs ahead for the first time at 9-7. The home team remained in control for the next three minutes, increasing the advantage to 13-9 with 12:29 remaining.
DeWitt Maxwell made a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 13-11, before Gai hit back-to-back three pointer which gave Fairfield the lead for good at 17-13 with 8:55 remaining. The Stags led by many as 10 points, 28-18 following a free throw by Gai, before Aaron White's basket made the halftime score 28-20.
Once again, the Red and White started the half quickly, using a 12-6 sput to gain a 14-point advantage at 40-26 with 15 minutes remaining. The lead reached as many 16 points, 48-32 following a dunk by Gai. Gai scored seven points and Oscar Garcia added six points during that opening eight minute run by Fairfield.
Rider slowly crept back into the game with three-point shooting, pulling to within five points at 59-54 with two minutes remaining. The Broncs took advantage of Fairfield being in the double penalty, and made all 10 free throw attempts over the next eight minutes.
But, a lay up by Nick Delfico gave Fairfield its seven point advantage and Terrence Todd added a pair of free throws in the final seconds to help the Stags secure the victory.
Maxwell was the only other Fairfield player in double-digits with 10 points, but seven other Fairfield players scored in the game. Jerry Johnson paced the Rider attack with 19 points, while Robert Taylor added 12 markers. The Broncs' Robert Reed added a game-high 11 rebounds to the cause.
