LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) Tyler Nelson made 6 3-pointer and scored 38 points - both career highs - and Amadou Sidibe had his third consecutive double-double to lead Fairfield past Rider 76-67 in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Thursday night.

Nelson made a career-best 11 field goals on 20 attempts and hit all 10 of his free throws as the Stags (5-1) won their third straight in the series. Guard Jerome Segura added 14 points and three blocked shots while Sidibe had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Nelson scored the final eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, during an 11-1 run that made it 30-23 with 4:11 left in the half and Fairfield led the rest of the way. Nelson made two free throws to give the Stags a 15-point lead with 8:12 to go, before Norville Carey's free throw capped a 10-3 run and pulled Rider within 71-66 with 1:17 left, but the Broncs got no closer.

Jimmie Taylor led Rider with 23 points.

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