Men's Basketball Holds Off Bridgeport, 82-78
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y (Jan. 10, 2010) - C.W. Post men's basketball shot 52.8% from the floor as they held off the University of Bridgeport and pulled into a four-way tie for first place in the East Coast Conference with a 86-78 win over the Purple Knights on Monday evening at the Pratt Recreation Center.
The Pioneers improve to 8-6 overall, 5-2 in ECC play, while Bridgeport moves to 5-7 overall, 5-2 in conference action.
C.W. Post led from start to finish, as the hosts jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead, then efficiently doubled up the Purple Knights, 14-7, following a jumper by senior forward Aaron Hall (Syracuse, N.Y.) at 15:41. Two minutes later, following back to back treys by senior guard Gil Montalvo (Astoria, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Tobin Carberry (Hamden, Conn.), the Pioneers took a 20-11 lead.
Leading 26-13 after freshman Vaughn Allen (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) hit two free throws, the Pioneers watched the Purple Knights make a 10-2 run over the next few minutes and pull to within 28-23. However, the Pioneers scored on three straight possessions and led 35-25 with 3:31 to play. But again Bridgeport answered back and closed out the half with four unanswered points to close to within 37-36 heading into the break.
The Pioneers opened the second half trading buckets with the visitors, but at 17:30, the hosts went on a 7-0 run that saw them open up a 49-40 advantage. Bridgeport continued to battle but the Pioneers kept the visitors at arms length, extending their lead to double digits, 57-47 after Carberry's trey at 9:22. The Purple Knights kept the game close, as the Pioneers were unable to push their lead higher then 11, and Bridgeport made its move again in the closing minutes of the game, pulling to within three points, 74-71, with 1:34 to play.
However, junior guard Billy Butler (Elmont, N.Y.) hit five-of-six free throws down the stretch, including two at 1:16 to put the Pioneers back ahead by five points. He hit another two free throws with 24 seconds remaining to put CWP up 79-73, and Montalvo hit two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to make the score 81-75 in favor of the Pioneers. Jermaine Washington hit a three with 10 seconds remaining to cut the lead to just three once again, but Montalvo hit another free throw with seven seconds left to pu sh the score to 82-78 and put the game out of reach.
Hall's 25 point night paced the Pioneers, as the senior guard was 11-of-18 from the floor. Also in double figures was Montalvo with 16 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including three treys. He also dished out a game-high six assists. Butler scored 13 points off the bench and went 6-for-7 from the line, and Carberry's 12 point effort rounded out the Pioneer scoring.
Bridgeport also placed four players in double digures, as Msoo Ikyaator led UB with 22 points, followed by Jermaine Washington with 18, Dave Boykin with 13 and Josh Martin with 11.
UB won the battle of the boards by a 35-24 margin, but the Pioneers took much better care of the ball, forcing 16 Bridgeport miscues and scoring 21 points off turnovers. C.W. Post dished out 18 assists to only 12 turnovers and shot 38.9% from beyond the arc and 73.1% (19-26) from the line.
C.W. Post will continue conference play with a matchup at home on Wednesday, Jan. 12, against Mercy at 7 p.m.