Bridgeport Rings In The New Year With Conference Win Over Caldwell

Bridgeport, Conn. – The University of Bridgeport men's basketball team earned their first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victory of the year on Saturday night. Bridgeport led by as much as 17 points with five minutes left on the clock, but the Cougars clawed their way back to make it a two-point game, with less than one minute remaining. The hosting Knights would prevail in the end by four points, 96-92.  The victory improves UB's season record to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in CACC play.

Both teams came to the Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium looking to secure their first conference win of the season before the New Year. Caldwell started the better of the two, sprinting out to 17-4 lead five minutes into the action. The Cougars shot 50.0% from three-point range and 56.7% from the floor in the first half when Bridgeport managed 27.3% from three and 48.6% from the floor.

The UB fast-paced offense preferred quantity over quality in the first period and headed to the locker room with the slightest of leads, 47-46 despite the efficiency difference.

The Purple Knights found their grove after the halftime break, and moved the ball around with greater effect, dishing out 13 assists, eight better than Caldwell's five. Bridgeport's bench also stepped up and contributed 33 points which eclipsed the Cougars who only managed 13 reserve points. This would prove to be just enough for the Purple Knights as they held on and prevailed by four points, 96-92 over Caldwell University.

The potent UB offense was led by D'Andre Collins (Sr., Newark, N.J.) as he scored 23 points while shooting 7-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-6 from three-point territory. Collins added a further three rebounds and one steal.

Joshua Denis (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.) came off the bench and provided a crucial 15 points and he went 4-for-8 from the floor and drained his one three-point shot of the game. This efficient performance was bolstered by five rebounds, two assists and one block.

Jayden Iturmendi (Rs-Sr., York, Pa.) contributed 11 points as he went 5-of-8 from the floor along with, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Junior Caleb Jacobs (Harlem, N.Y.) and Senior Tim Dawson (New Haven, Conn.) both tallied 10 points in the winning effort. Jacobs added four rebounds, two steals and an assist while Dawson provided five rebounds and two steals.

Nick Traill (Jr., Valley Stream, N.Y.) led all ball carriers with a game-high six assists to add to his five points and four rebounds off the bench.

Up next, UB will start the 2024 portion of their season when the play the Felician University Falcons at 8:00 p.m. in Rutherford, N.J. in their Job Gymnasium.