BLOOMFIELD, NJ - The men's basketball team got all they could handle from the Post University Eagles Monday night, as they withstood several late-game runs to prevail 80-75 in the opening round of the CACC Tournament. 

From the opening tip it was clear this matchup would not go as the previous two meetings between the clubs had: The Deacons had posted a pair of double-digit victories over the Eagles during the regular season, with CACC Player of the Year Gage Daye torching Post in both games. 

But this was a different Eagles team on the floor Monday night, and they kept themselves within striking distance for much of the first half of play.  A layup by Ahmad Harris as time expire pushed the lead to double-digits, sending the Deacons to the locker room with a 40-30 halftime advantage.

Post quickly made adjustments during the break, setting the stage for a second half reminiscent of a heavyweight bout.  The Deacons were able to fend off several spurts from the Eagles over the first ten minutes, pushing their advantage to 12 points with just over 11 minutes to play.  But an 11-0 run by the Eagles brought them to within a single point with 8:29 to play. 

Bloomfield was able to push the lead back to six with a quick run of their own, but the Eagles would not let the cushion balloon any further.  The clubs traded baskets over the final five minutes of action, swapping big shot for big shot as a packed house cheered on the seesaw battle.  Post was able to stay within a bucket in the final minutes after a pair of threes by Trevon Hamlet, but senior forward Wilson Pilarte made sure there would be no comeback, draining a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining to give the Deacons an 80-75 advantage they would not relinquish. 

Senior forward Chris Sampson was dominant in the post for the Deacons, posting a team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds in one of his finest performances of the season.  Daye was able to make his presence felt from the free-throw line in the win, going 7-9 from the stripe and finishing with 19 points.  Ryan Rodrigues provided the shooting from the outside, finishing 3-6 from beyond the arch and notching 15 points.  Matt Wafula aided Sampson in the block party in the post for BC, swatting a team-high four blocks in the win.

With the victory, the Deacons move on to the semifinals of the CACC Tournament, where they will take on Goldey Beacom College on Friday, March 5.  Be sure to check back to BCDeacons.com for all your news and updates as the Deacons drive towards the CACC Championship.