Box Score BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Another strong performance by Maurice Barrow was not enough to lift the Fairfield University men's basketball to a victory as the Stags dropped a 71-62 decision to Rider University on Saturday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena. Marcus Gilbert also reached the 20-point mark in the game as the two student-athletes accounted for two-thirds of the team's offensive output.

The two teams played a close opening 10 minutes as both struggled to score early in the game. The two teams did not reach double figures until eight minutes elapsed in the game with Rider holding an 11-10 lead with 12 minutes left in the half. The Broncs continued to build on their lead over the next few minutes, pushing the advantage to five points at 16-11 at the 8:49 mark. Fairfield came back with six straight points to erase the five-point deficit and took a one point lead at 17-16.

There were two ties and two lead changes over the final five minutes of the half, but it was Fairfield that pulled out late in the half, taking its biggest lead of the game at 31-25 with 1:15 remaining. A three-point field goal by Jimmie Taylor took half of the lead away and resulted in a 31-28 Stags advantage at the half. Barrow led all scorers with nine points by intermission while Marcus Gilbert posted eight points.

Rider tied the game on its first possession of the half and then added two more possessions on the next play to hold a 33-31 score at the 18:19 mark. Fairfield rallied to tie the game and take the lead just two minutes later as Barrow's free throws knotted the score and his three-point field goal gave the lead back. Fairfield would hold the lead until Anthony Myles used a layup to nudge the Broncs in front at 44-43 with 13:31 remaining.

Neither team led by more than three points until Daniel Stewart scored seven points by himself that enable the visitors to secure a five-point lead at 64-59. Still, the Stags had something left and used it to make another comeback, pulling within two points at 64-62 with 2:40 remaining following Barrow's three-point play. But those would be the last points for the Stags as Rider finishing with seven unanswered points to pull away with the win, 71-62.

Stewart went home with 20 points, 10 of which came from the free throw line, while Taylor just missed the mark with 19 points. The guard made all three of his three-point field goals and shot seven of 11 overall.

The Stags embark on a three-game road trip that sends them to upstate New York next week, battling Niagara and Canisius. The road swing ends with a matchup at Saint Peter's.

Today was also Bob Heussler Bobblehead Day where the University community celebrated Heussler's 25 years as the voice of the Stags. Click here for a photo gallery.