Box Score

CALDWELL, NJ - Defense wins Championships and tonight the Deacons became the Champions of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) with a 52-41 victory over the Cougars of Caldwell College. The win gives Bloomfield their first CACC title in women's basketball since becoming a NCAA Division II institution in 2002. It also affords the Deacons an automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Caldwell ends their season with an 18-11 overall record while Bloomfield improves 20-9 as they extend into postseason play.

The 7th ranked scoring defense in the nation came to play tonight as Bloomfield held the Cougars to a season-low 41 points on 15-for-44 shooting from the field. The Deacons forced 24 turnovers during the contest which led to 17 points. Caldwell held a slight edge in rebounding for the game (41-38) but Bloomfield made up the difference with 2nd chance points tipping in their favor 13-7. The Deacons reserves led by senior Ivettlis Castro (Carteret, NJ) and Lauren Deverin (Sewaren, NJ) out-scored the Cougars' bench 20-0 providing the catalyst for Bloomfield's success on the night. 

The atmosphere inside the George R. Newman center was electric as the crosstown rivals began the battle with Caldwell jumping out to an early 5-0 lead after a jumper from the CACC 'Player of the Year' Jeanette Anderson. The teams would trade baskets over the next three and a half minutes and the Cougars found themselves up 11-6 before the Deacons reeled off the next twenty points unanswered. Bloomfield's nationally ranked defense held the Cougars scoreless for over twelve minutes and the Deacons offense was powered by junior Tierra Scott (Bear, DE) who poured in 9 points in the first half. Bloomfield would head to the break up 27-16, holding Caldwell to just 20.0% shooting in the opening period. Castro and Deverin combined for 9 points in the frame for the Deacons. 

Bloomfield shot the ball poorly in the second half (29.0%) and Caldwell seized the opportunity opening up with an 8-0 run after a pair of threes by Nicole Angelo bookended an Anderson layup. The Cougars would claw their way to within five (30-35) but the dynamic duo from a day ago, Ariel Wilson (Chesapeake, VA) and Tianna Smith (Nanuet, NY) scored on the Deacons next two possessions to push the lead back up to 40-30. The double-digit advantage proved insurmountable with the Bloomfield defense holding Caldwell without a field goal for a four and a half minute stretch. Castro and Wilson sank free throws in the closing minutes to secure the programs first CACC Championship. 

For the Cougars, Anderson ended the night with 9 rebounds and a game-high 17 points. On the Champs' side of the ball, Castro finished the game with 11 points and Deverin pitched in 9 points alongside 8 rebounds. Smith was named to the CACC All-Tournament Team and ended the night with 4 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Wilson also garnered All-Tournament honors, finishing up with 9 points and 4 steals. Scott was named the CACC Tournament 'Most Valuable Player' netting team-highs 13 points and 9 rebounds.  

Bloomfield now awaits the NCAA Tournament selection show on Sunday March 9 at 10:00 pm to find out their next opponent and regional seedings. Please log on to www.bcdeacons.com for updates as the Deacons make their first appearance in program history to the NCAA big dance.