Rutherford, NJ (January 22, 2025) – Felician University showcased a dominant second-half performance to secure an 87-77 victory over Bloomfield College in a highly competitive Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) showdown at the Joal & Joseph Job Gymnasium.
The win propels Felician to an 11-6 overall record and a 4-3 mark in CACC play, matching Bloomfield's record. In front of a spirited crowd of 425 fans, the Golden Falcons overcame a one-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Bears 51-40 in the second half.
Jonathan Izemef led the way for Felician with an electrifying performance, scoring a game-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The senior guard also pulled down five rebounds and converted 8-of-10 attempts from the free-throw line, helping Felician maintain their composure during key moments. Marcus Pierce delivered a well-rounded effort, adding 24 points while hitting 9-of-10 free throws. He also led the team with five assists and grabbed three steals, showing his impact on both ends of the court. Abdul Shanunu lit it up from beyond the arc, nailing six three-pointers and finishing with 22 points. Meanwhile, Jhonny Tovar played a vital role in the paint, securing a game-high nine rebounds and dishing out eight assists to keep the offense flowing smoothly.
Felician's second-half surge was fueled by remarkable efficiency, as the team shot an impressive 60.9% from the field after halftime. They were nearly perfect at the free-throw line, going 19-of-22 for the game. The Golden Falcons also capitalized on their speed, scoring 17 fast-break points and controlling the tempo throughout the game.
Bloomfield put up a strong fight, with Ethan Maynard leading their effort with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Edward Ngene added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Starrell Hearns contributed 12 points. However, the Bears struggled to match Felician's pace and precision in the final 20 minutes.
Felician's balanced team effort was evident in their overall efficiency. The Golden Falcons shot 48.3% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range, while their stellar 87.5% performance at the free-throw line helped seal the victory.
The Golden Falcons will now shift their focus to an away matchup against Holy Family University on Saturday, January 25th at 3:00 PM, where they'll look to carry this momentum forward in another crucial CACC contest.
