Women’s College Basketball: Rider University 55, Fairfield University 44

LAWRENCEVILLE — Junior MyNeshia McKenzie (Springfield, Pa./Springfield-Delco) compiled18 points and five rebounds to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over Fairfield Thursday night (Feb. 7)..

With the win, Rider moves into third place in the MAAC.

Rider senior Sironda Chambers (Newark, Del.) scored Rider’s final seven points of the game, four from the foul line, and finished with 16 points and four rebounds.

With the win Rider (11-11, 6-5 MAAC) sweeps the season series with Fairfield (13-9, 7-4 MAAC). Rider defeated Fairfield 69-57 January 27.   In that game McKenzie compiled 19 points and 12 rebounds

Fairfield came into the game having won six of the last seven meetings with Rider. It was just the fifth time in 35 meetings that Rider defeated the Stags.

Rider used a 19-2 run, six points by McKenzie and five points by Chambers, to take a 48-39 lead with 2:24 remaining.

With the score tied at 27, Fairfield went on a 10-0 run, four points each by Felicia DaCruz and Brittany MacFarlane, to take a 37-27 lead mid-way through the second half.  DaCruz finished with 10 points and MacFarlane finished with six points and seven rebounds.

A three-point play by McKenzie tied the score at 23-23 four minutes into the second half.

Fairfield used a 17-3 run, six points by Katelyn Linney, to take a 21-14 lead, and the Stags led 21-16 at the half. Linney finished with six points.

Rider jumped out to a 9-2 lead, five points by McKenzie.

Rider senior Caitlin Bopp (Baltimore, Md./Inst. of Notre Dame) added 10 points and seven rebounds, along with three blocked shots.

Fairfield out-rebounded Rider 41-30, but shot just 30 percent from the field, compared to 43.1 percent for Rider.

Fairfield junior forwards Katie Cizynski finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Rider travels to Iona for an ESPN3 game Saturday at 4 p.m.