The only game on Monday was a one-sided ECC affair in Connecticut. Here’s how it went down:
BRIDGEPORT 105 ROBERTS WESLEYAN 81
Carlos DeJesus turned in a career-high 24-point performance (9-15 FG, 4-7 from deep) and handed out five assists to lead Bridgeport past Roberts Wesleyan at Hubbell Gym for its sixth straight win. The Purple Knights – who maintain sole possession of second place in the ECC hierarchy – trailed 19-17 nearly midway through the opening half when a Kyle Benjamin bucket triggered a 31-8 blitz that put the hosts up 48-27 with 1:28 to play in the period. DeJesus - who had never had more than 16 points in any of this collegiate games beforehand - accounted for 10 points during the surge. Two 3-pointers from Quinn Carey (11 points) to close out the half brought the Redhawks within 50-35, and a Manny Joseph hoop shortly after play resumed made it a 13-point game before DeJesus banged a three to jump-start an 18-8 run and put Bridgeport in a 68-45 comfort zone with 15:08 to play; the margin bouncing between 17 and 26 the balance of the ballgame. Benjamin collected 19 points (9-13 FG), 10 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots for the winners, who also landed Stefano Osuji (14 points) and Sam Joseph (12) in double figures. Manny Joseph (no relation) led Roberts with 18 points, followed by Isaiah Lewis (16) and Tristan Brown, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 13 points, eight boards and nine assists. The P-Knights shot it better from the floor (56%-48%) and from beyond the arc (12-26 to 7-18) while feasting in the paint (50-36), on the break (20-6) and off turnovers (30-8) while out-assisting their guests 27-12. The Redhawks made twice as many trips to the line but struggled, as usual, when they got there (14-22 compared to UB’s 9-11). One win in Bridgeport’s final two games will snag a first-round bye (the semifinals will be played in their home gym) and they still have a slight shot at the #1 seed with two wins and a STAC loss to Mercy.