Feb. 16, 2005
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Terrence Todd and DeWitt Maxwell each scored 18 points, while Deng Gai added six blocked shots in Fairfield University's 74-66 loss to Rider University at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Gai's six blocks raised his career total to 414, which moves him into 14th all-time on the NCAA Division I list past Shaquille O'Neal's 412 career rejections.
The Stags held an early lead after Todd's three-point basket gave them a 5-4 lead just three minutes into the game. Rider responded with an 18-4 run to take a double-digit lead at 22-9 at the 12:40 mark.
Fairfield used a similar type of run to climb back into the game, eventually tying the game at 28-28 after Maxwell scored off fast-break layup. Maxwell followed up with another layup on the Stags next possession which regained the lead for the home team at 30-28. The teams settled for a 34-34 tie at intermission, as Maxwell's layup with 1:11 remaining was the final basket of the first half.
The Stags started the second half quickly, as they opened an eight-point lead just four minutes into the period at 44-36. Rider pulled to within four points at 48-44, courtesy of Jerry Johnson's three-point basket. Just after that basket, the game was stopped for 20 minutes when a fire alarm was tripped at the Arena, forcing fans to leave the building for a brief time.
Once the building was reopened, Rider found its shooting touch, especially from three-point range. The Broncs missed their first two three-point attempts of the half, but finished up by making seven of their final eight shots from behind the arc. That long-range shooting helped the visitors build a 12-point advantage at 65-53 with four minutes remaining in the game.
Fairfield made a valiant effort to get back into the game, coming closest at 69-64 after Deng Gai hit a pair of free throws with 50 seconds remaining. But, Rider netted five of its eight free throws in the final seconds to post the win.
Rider's Jerry Johnson led all scorers with 23 points.
