Just two games on the Monday schedule, including a snow make-up game that makes things even tighter in the East Coast Conference. Coincidentally, both games followed an almost identical scoring pattern:
BRIDGEPORT 76 MERCY 68
Muhammed Ahmed generated 23 points (10-15 FG), six rebounds and four blocked shots while Devon Elliott contributed 19 points and six assists as Bridgeport held off Mercy in Connecticut to secure an ECC Tournament berth. The Purple Knights – who also received 11 points apiece from Ernest Rouse and reserve guard Jesse Jones – only trailed once (6-4) and took a 41-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Mavericks halved their deficit to 45-39 nearly seven minutes into the second period and were still within 56-47 with under nine minutes to play when the hosts reeled off 10 straight, the last four of which came on a pair of Rouse jumpers, boosting the lead to 66-47 at the 5:32 mark. Will Robinson notched 14 points (6-9 FG) and seven rebounds for the Mavs, who whittled the gap down to eight before running out of time, seeing their hold over the sixth and final playoff spot shrink to one game over Dowling heading into their big showdown on Long Island Wednesday. Tyseem Lyles compiled 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Mercy, which was outshot (53%-47%) and outscored 28-14 off turnovers despite both teams committing 18. The Purple Knights, conversely, were doubled on second chance scoring (18-9). Neither side distinguished itself from the foul line (UB 12-21, MC 5-13). Bridgeport can finish anywhere from second to fifth.
SCIENCES 92 CHEYNEY 85
In the last regional non-conference game of the regular season, University of the Sciences outscored Cheyney (PA) at Cope Hall thanks to a colossal effort from Sho Da-Silva, who amassed career highs of 33 points (23 after the break) and 17 rebounds, making 11 of his 18 shots from the floor and 11-12 from the line while also distributing four assists. Jon McGill chimed in with a personal-best 19 points (7-11 FG, 5-7 from beyond the arc) for the Devils, who never trailed and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half. The margin peaked at 18 (65-47) and never shrunk below the seven-point final spread. Will Gregorits totaled 18 points and six rebounds for USciences, which also landed Flo Da-Silva in twin figures with 11 points and four assists. Rafiq Marshall was high man for the Wolves with 25 points (11-19 FG, 3-5 from 3), but his team was outshot (59%-49%) and outrebounded (37-23) on the night. Cheyney was more formidable from long distance (11-19 to 5-9) but the Devils compensated by drilling 21-23 from the stripe compared to their hosts’ 6-10 outing. Both sides handled the ball very well (US 16/10 assist-turnover ratio, CU 12/4). Barring an Elite-8 encounter, the East Region finishes 8-17 vs. the PSAC this season.