BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Despite a strong first-half showing, the Felician University men's basketball team came up just short against the University of Bridgeport, falling 79-75 on Tuesday night at Harvey Hubbell Gym. With the loss, the Golden Falcons now stand at 12-7 overall and 5-4 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Bridgeport improved to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in league play.
Felician came out of the gate strong, outscoring Bridgeport 45-44 in a highly competitive first half. Marcus Pierce led the charge with 19 points, shooting 7-for-20 from the field and adding five free throws. Abdul Shanunu also had an impressive night, contributing 18 points, including three three-pointers, and going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. Jared White chipped in with 12 points, while Jhonny Tovar added 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Golden Falcons shot an impressive 48.15% from the field in the first half and 75% from beyond the arc.
However, Felician struggled offensively in the second half, shooting just 31.25% from the field and 9.09% from three-point range. Bridgeport capitalized on Felician's turnovers and outscored the Golden Falcons 35-30 in the final 20 minutes. Jonathan Izemef anchored the defense with eight rebounds and a block, but it wasn't enough to overcome Bridgeport's balanced attack.
For Bridgeport, Caleb Jacobs was the standout performer, leading all scorers with 20 points and grabbing six rebounds. Gabe Charleston provided a spark off the bench, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and finishing with 12 points. Bridgeport's depth proved to be a difference-maker, as their bench outscored Felician's 34-8. The Purple Knights also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Golden Falcons 47-38, including 21 offensive rebounds that led to 10 second-chance points.
The game saw four lead changes and two ties, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the contest. Felician excelled at the free-throw line, shooting 81.5% (22-for-27) compared to Bridgeport's 61.9% (13-for-21). Despite their efforts, the Golden Falcons were unable to match Bridgeport's 21 fast-break points and 21 points off turnovers.
Felician will look to bounce back in their next game as they return home to face Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, February 1, at 3:30 p.m.
