Game Notes

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University men's basketball plays the second contest in a four-game road swing on Monday night when the team heads to Rider University for a 7 pm match up at Alumni Gymnasium. The Stags will try to avoid back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) losses after dropping a 66-65 decision to Loyola last Friday, the team's first MAAC loss of the season. The Stags have not lost consecutive conference games since the 2008-09 campaign.

Fairfield saw its 11-game winning streak come to an end on Friday night with the loss at Loyola. The 11-game run was the second-longest winning streak in school history, second only to the 1965-66 team's 13-gamer en route to a 19-5 overall record. The streak was the seventh longest in the nation.

The Stags moved up to number two in the nation for scoring defense at 53.9 points in the last set of NCAA statistics (games through January 13). Stephen F. Austin (53.1 ppg), led the nation in that category. Fairfield remains number one in the MAAC statistics for scoring defense and rebounding margin (+3.6 rpg).

Derek Needham remains the team's top scorer, checking into today's action with a 13.0 scoring average. He has scored in double figures in all but two games this season. Ryan Olander is next in line with a 9.8 scoring average, while Warren Edney stands at 9.1 points per game. Olander is the team's top rebounder with 7.4 caroms per contest. 

Rider enters the game with a 12-6 overall record and a 4-2 MAAC mark. The team saw its six-game winning streak come to a halt with a 100-96 overtime loss at home against Iona College. The Broncs trailed by double figures in that game, but was able to catch the Gaels and hold a second-half lead. 

The Broncs know how to hold a lead, posting a 10-1 record when leading with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The team has not lost a game when it leads with five minutes remaining in the game, winning all 11 opportunities this season. Last year, Rider owned a 10-1 record when holding an edge with 10 minutes remaining, and a 14-1 mark with a lead at the five-minute mark. 

The Broncs have three student-athletes scoring in double figures this year, all of whom are in the starting lineup. Guard Justin Robinson leads the team in scoring with a 15.8 scoring average, followed by forward Mike Ringgold's 13.5 points per game. Novar Gadson ranks third among his teammates a 12.9 scoring average.