Jamie Bergens leads Fairfield to victory over Fairleigh Dickinson
- The Fairfield Stags defeated the Rider Broncs 78-75, led by Deon Perry's 19 points.
- Peyton Smith scored the game-winning shot with just 1.6 seconds left in the game.
- Fairfield secured their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win and improved their record.
In a closely contested game in Fairfield, Connecticut, the Fairfield Stags edged out the Rider Broncs with a thrilling 78-75 victory on Wednesday night. Deon Perry spearheaded the Stags' performance, scoring 19 points and contributing significantly to the team's first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win. Notably, Peyton Smith made a decisive tip-in just 1.6 seconds before the end of the game, following a missed layup by his teammate Prophet Johnson. This put-back was crucial as it sealed the victory for Fairfield after Rider's Zion Cruz had tied the game just moments prior with a free throw. In addition to Perry's 19 points, Louis Bleechmore contributed 16 points for the Stags, while Smith added 15 points and provided key plays in the final moments of the game. Despite Rider putting up a strong fight, especially from Tariq Ingraham, who led with 21 points and 14 rebounds, they could not hold on for the victory as they fell to a 4-5 record for the season. Earlier in the week, Fairfield also achieved a hard-fought victory over Fairleigh Dickinson, winning 78-74. This victory was fueled by Jamie Bergens' standout performance, scoring 20 points and contributing defensively with three steals. Peyton Smith again impressed, notching a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Deon Perry added nine points to assist with the win. The Stags' strong showing against Fairleigh Dickinson set the stage for their matchup against Rider, establishing them as a competitive force in their conference. Overall, the Fairfield Stags improved their record to 5-4 with the victory over Rider and are now standing confidently at 1-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The team's performances highlight their potential as they strive for better results this season, supported by their key players who have stepped up in crucial moments. As they continue to build momentum, Fairfield will be looking to maintain their winning streak and solidify their position in the conference standings moving forward.