Fairfield beats Rider 61-52 to snap 3-game skid

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Derek Needham scored 15 points to lead four Fairfield players in double figures as the Stags defeated Rider 61-52 Monday night to snap a three-game skid.

Fairfield (9-9, 4-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) never trailed, building a 10-point lead three times in the first half before leading 35-28 at the break.

The Stags built a 13-point lead, which the Broncs cut to six, at 53-47, with 5:49 remaining.

Rider could get no closer until a Jeff Jones free throw made it 57-52 with 36 seconds left. Needham’s two free throws and Colin Nickerson’s dunk sealed the win.

Rakim Sanders added 13 points, Nickerson 12 points and Desmond Wade 10 for the Stags, who outshot the Broncs 45.5 percent (20 of 44) to 32 percent (16 of 50).

Daniel Stewart and Brandon Penn scored 11 apiece to lead Rider (6-13, 2-4), which has lost two straight after winning five of six.