BLOOMFIELD, NJ (March 1, 2011) -- In front of a packed house in the Deacons' Den, Bloomfield College won their first round CACC playoff game over the Felician Golden Falcons, 77-70.
The pre-game atmosphere was intense, with both teams providing their share of fans to keep the respective teams going in this important matchup. Not only was a berth in the semi-finals in the CACC tournament on the line, but also one of the greats at Bloomfield was close to a milestone.
Senior guard and co-captain Gage Daye (Newark, NJ) was 19 points away from breaking the all-time scoring record at Bloomfield, held by former Deacon Andre Dabney.
Felician took an early advantage, but the Deacons were up to the task and equaled the score at 13, just over six minutes into the game. From there, the teams traded baskets until a 7-0 run by Bloomfield, led in large part by Daye going to the free-throw line. Bloomfield's lead was as much as 10 in the first, but fouls and tough play by Felician kept the game close at half, 38-34.
Bloomfield came out in the second half and immediately set the tone with another 7-0 run, capped by a Daye three-pointer with 18:17 remaining. From there, Felician clawed back into the game, cutting the lead down to five. With 14:15 remaining, Daye knocked down two free throws to break the record. However, neither himself nor Head Coach Gerald Holmes wanted to celebrate.
Bloomfield extended the lead to 14, but Felician brought it back down to as little as three points with foul shooting and turnovers. In the end, however, Daye and the Deacons stood tall.
Daye said about the milestone and about BC, “It is a great accomplishment, it feels great…I am going to miss playing here. “ Bloomfield head coach Gerald Holmes said about Daye, “He is a phenomenal player, with a tremendous heart.”
Daye finished with 31 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals, with an impressive 15-16 performance from the free throw line. Senior guard Ryan Rodrigues chipped in with 13 points.
The next game for Bloomfield will be against Chestnut Hill College March 4 in the semifinals of the CACC Tournament, held at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
