Lawrenceville, N.J. – Like many times throughout the season, Fairfield had a chance to win, but could not hold a lead long enough to pick up a victory as the Stags fell 58-55.
With 12 minutes remaining in the second half, Fairfield was ahead 42-35 and appeared to be in control of the game.But, Rider stayed close and with five minutes to go in the game, Terrance Mouton hit a three pointer, putting the Broncs in the lead for good.
Fairfield could not take advantage of three chances to tie the game with less than 20 seconds to go in the game, as both Michael Van Schaick `07 and Jonathan Han `09 missed three pointers that could have sent the game to overtime.
The Stags had a chance to win an important game in the MAAC on the road, but instead fell 58-55 at Alumni Gym in Lawrenceville, N.J. Senior guard Michael Van Schaick led the way with 19 points for Fairfield, while Terrance Mouton had 16 points for Rider.
“I think we let an unbelievable opportunity get away from us,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley, “I thought we controlled the game for 37 and a half minutes today. Once again we held another opponent under 60 points and lose the basketball game.”
“It’s the same old story, missed layups and turnovers. If you turn the ball over on the road you will not win, it is that simple,” Cooley added.
The Stags were able to hold Rider to only 37.5% from the floor, while shooting 38.2% themselves. It was the second straight game where Fairfield had a better shooting night than their opponents, but still lost. Rider’s Head Coach Tommy Dempsey was prepared for a physical game and after the game acknowledged Fairfield’s strong defensive play.
“Watching them several times on tape I knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty game,” Dempsey said, “They are physical and play great defense. Everybody who has played them has struggled offensively and we obviously did as well.”
The Stags controlled most of the first half, as they held the lead for a total of 13 minutes, while only trailing for three minutes. Unlike in most games this season, the Stags were able to hold on to the lead going into half time, taking a 25-24 lead into the break.
The Stags looked like they were in for a long night over the first three minutes of the game, as they turned the ball over on their first two possessions on shot clock violations. Van Schaick began to get hot and connected on three long range shots to lead the Stags on a 8-0 run that gave them a 15-6 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the half.
Van Schaick’s three pointers brought him into a tie for sixth place with Tyquawan Goode on the career three point list at Fairfield, with 108. He would finish with four three pointers, which moved him into sole possession of sixth place.
“They [all three shots] were all open looks because it was all in our offense,” Van Schaick said, “It was just there, great screens, great passes, everything we have been working on.”
Fairfield started the second half well as freshman forward Anthony Johnson led the team on a 10-2 run, scoring eight of those ten points. During a three minute stretch, Johnson scored on an alley oop from Jonathan Han `09 and had three offensive rebounds, putting the ball back into the hoop on all three. Johnson also had a steal on the defensive side, which set up a fast break layup for fellow freshman Rich Flemming.
Johnson, who finished the game with 14 points, said, “I got open looks [during the first half] but missed layups. Then on that stretch we had good play calling and executed.”
The Stags took a 46-39 lead, but could not hold it, as Mouton hit the three pointer to give Rider its first lead of the half. Lamar Johnson then hit a three pointer of his own to extend the Broncs lead to 54-48.
Jason Thompson, the third leading scorer in the MAAC, was fouled and scored a layup. Thompson, who averages 19 points a game, finished with 14, and connected on the free throw to give Rider its largest lead of the night, 56-50 with 1:59 left in the game.
Van Schaick connected on his fourth three pointer of the game to cut the lead back to three. Fairfield then grabbed a key defensive rebound, as Jonathan Han took the ball out of Thompson’s hands and scored on a fast break layup to make the score 56-55. But, that was as close as the Stags would get as they could not score on their final possession.
“With that level of inexperience on the floor, there are some mistakes you just have to live with and eat,” said Cooley, “In a game of sport, momentum means everything, and right now our kids are searching to find Uncle Mo. Right now we just don’t have it.”
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