Stewart leads Rider past Fairfeld 73-65

Feb 3, 2014, 09:38 pm

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Daniel Stewart scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Rider past Fairfield 73-65 Monday night.

A conventional three-point play by Marcus Gilbert, with 15:08 to play, pulled Fairfield with five. But Rider outscored the Stags 10-4 over next four minutes, extending its lead to 54-45 and forcing four of Fairfield's 15 second-half turnovers during that span.

Gilbert pulled the Stags within six on a 3-pointer with 2 minutes left before a three-point play by Stewart made it 69-60.

Fairfield committed three turnovers in the final 1:24 and Rider held on for the win.

Jimmie Taylor added 14 points and Kahlil Thomas 11 for Rider (12-9, 8-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who made 8 of 16 3-point shots and forced 21 turnovers.

Maurice Barrow finished with 22 point and eight rebounds for Fairfield (4-19, 1-11). Gilbert finished with 15 points and eight boards.