BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – On the day that Bloomfield College honored the late Avery Ernest Ellington Thompson, the Bloomfield College men's basketball team defeated Goldey-Beacom by a score of 79-45. Bloomfield senior forward, Matt Hall (Brooklyn, NY) led all scorers with 16 points shooting a perfect 4-4 from three-point range. Freshman forward, Nick Davidson (Lumberton, N.J.) contributed 15 points on 75% shooting from the field. The Bears improved to 8-11 overall and 7-5 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play. The Lightning fell to 8-15 overall and 5-10 in conference match ups.
 
Bloomfield's offense came out firing on all cylinders as the team shot 52.8% in the opening half including 6-10 from beyond the arc. Marvin Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) got the scoring started as he drilled a three, eclipsing 1,500 points during his decorated career at Bloomfield College. The Bears went on to open up the game with a 23-9 spurt led by some dominant play in the paint, outscoring the Lightning 22-6 down low in the first half. When the buzzer sounded to end the opening stanza, the home team enjoyed a 46-20 lead heading into the break.
 
As a part of the day's activities both the women and men's basketball coaching staff's wore sneakers along with their normal game day attire in support of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers campaign. All proceeds from today's game will be donated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Avery Thompson Fund.

During the half, volunteers from the crowd were invited to participate in a free throw shooting contest. Fourteen participants were chosen and split into two teams, with everyone receiving a 'Slam Leukemia!' Avery Thompson Shirt for volunteering. The team with all of their members converting a shot from the charity stripe also received an Avery Thompson 'Dream Big Concert' DVD. Afterwards, head coach Gerald Holmes and the newest member of the men's team, 8 year old cancer survivor, Denis Boulos presented the Thompson family with flowers in remembrance of the valiant battle with leukemia Avery fought.
  
Bloomfield continued with their foot on the gas, opening the second period with a 14-5 run, pushing their lead to a 60-25 margin with 12:53 to play in the game. The Bears led by as many as 39 (79-40) with 1:37 left in the final period. The Bloomfield defense protected their lead very well, holding the Lightning to just 9-of-34 shooting (26.5%) in the second half to seal the inter-divisional victory.
 
Bloomfield dominated down low outscoring Goldey-Beacom 42-18 in the paint. The Bears also took advantage of the turnovers they created, turning them into 23 points. The game on the glass also went Bloomfield's way by a margin of 51-34.
 
Williams finished the game with 13 points on 60.0 percent (6-for-10) shooting from the field. Bloomfield center Olatilewa Oyawusi (Bloomfield, N.J.) contributed 11 points off the bench and shot 71.0 percent (5-for-7) from the floor. Senior forward Errol Townsend (Hartford, C.T.) added a game-high 12 rebounds to the Bears winning effort. Bloomfield seemed to play inspired basketball on the afternoon; an afternoon the Bears Played for A.
 
Bloomfield will return to action on Tuesday February 10th against CACC North Division rival, Felician College. Game time is set for 8pm at Bloomfield College and fans are encouraged to wear maroon for the inaugural 'Maroon Out' game. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, from the Bloomfield College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter or Instagram @GO_BCBears.