February 3, 2006 - Fairfield 77 Rider 69 (ot)
February 3, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Basketball
Fairfield University 77, Rider University 69 (ot)
BRIDGEPORT, CT—The Broncs came back from a nine-point deficit with just 6:30 left in the second half to send the game into overtime before losing a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Fairfield Friday. “One constant this year is that we won’t quit,” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey. “We kept battling.”
Rider trailed 63-54 before going on an 11-2 run, five points by freshman Lamar Johnson (Scranton, PA), to tie the score at 65-65. Johnson finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Two foul shots by sophomore Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) with 1:25 remaining tied the score at 67-67, sending the game into overtime. Thompson finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, his seventh ‘double-double’ of the season. “We were able to get the ball in to Jason, but their full court pressure took its toll on us,” said Dempsey. Rider committed 19 turnovers in the game.
Fairfield’s Michael Van Schaick scored five of his eight points in overtime.
The Broncs shot 39 percent from the field. “To overcome our shooting woes to take this game into overtime showed how hard we played tonight,” said Dempsey.
Fairfield out-scored Rider 10-2 over the final 6:10 of the first half, taking a 36-33 lead at intermission.
The Broncs scored the first eight points of the second half, six by Thompson, to take a 41-36 lead.
Rider (7-13, 3-9 MAAC) led 45-40 with 15:40 left before Fairfield (7-13, 5-7 MAAC) went on a 19-4 run, six points by Herbie Allen, to take a 59-49 lead with 8:20 left to play. That was the ninth and final lead change of the game.
Rider senior Edwin Muniz (Passaic) scored 13 points, 11 in the first half. Rider freshman Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA) added 12 points off the bench.
Senior guard Terrence Todd scored 20 points for Fairfield.
This was Rider’s second overtime game this season. The Broncs lost 104-100 in overtime at Saint Peter’s January 4.
The Broncs host Canisius Sunday.
-RU-
