WALTHAM - For the first time in program history, the Men's Basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament Sunday evening, surging in the second half to top third-seeded Stonehill College 79-66 in the East Region semifinals.  

Landmark victories are never complete without transcendent performances, and the seventh-seeded Deacons' second victory on college basketball's biggest stage was no different.  Senior guard Gage Daye continued to stake his claim as one of the nation's elite players, pouring in a game-high 31 points in a 10-18 shooting performance to go with four assists. 

Freshman forward Kevin Udo continued to blossom as the stakes grow higher, posting 14 points, nine rebounds and a trio of blocks in 31 minutes off the bench.  Guard Ryan Rodrigues aided Daye in the backcourt scoring effort, finishing with 15 points and three assists.

But the greatest performance of all could not be measured by the marquee numbers in the final box score.  The Deacons had grown into the team many knew they could become - a ruthlessly efficient offensive force, with a myriad of weapons capable of beating an opponent on any given night.  Bloomfield shot just under 47% from the floor in Sunday's victory, converting 85% of their free-throw attempts while committing just 10 turnovers in 40 minutes of basketball.  Seven players registered at least two points, with each player seeing at least 17 minutes of action.

"Tonight was a great all-around game for us on both sides of the ball," Bloomfield head coach Gerald Holmes said.  "Offensively we shot the ball well, and were able to limit our turnovers.  Against these type of opponents, that's the type of basketball you have to play."

The defense came to play as well, limiting Stonehill to just 37% shooting and a 21% performance from beyond the arc.  Despite the outstanding work on the defensive end, the Deacons trailed the Skyhawks 33-30 heading into the intermission.

But Bloomfield would rally to tie the tilt at 39 with 14:42 remaining on a Rodrigues three, and after Stonehill retook a one-point advantage, the CACC Tournament champions would rally with an emphatic run to punch their ticket to the round of 16. The underdogs outscored Stonehill 35-23 over the final 12:54, including a 13-4 spurt over the final two minutes to put the game away.

"We were able to get some good looks offensively in those last two minutes, and were able to close the game out," Holmes said.  "That's what good teams do.  Obviously the stakes get bigger with each game, but if we continue to play our best basketball, we can play with anybody."

The Deacons move on to the East Regional Final, to take place on Tuesday, March 15.  Bloomfield will take on top-seeded host Bentley University, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 PM.