STATEN ISLAND, NY – The Bears men's basketball team made a regional statement Saturday afternoon when they crossed the century mark in a, 100-90 victory over the College of Staten Island (CSI) on the road. Bloomfield improved to 18-8 with the non-conference victory to keep their hopes of a 20-win season alive with just two games to go on the schedule. The Dolphins fell to 17-9 after the setback and saw their 5-game win streak snapped.
If you missed the excitement of today's match-up or you'd like to see it again, you can click this link to watch it ON DEMAND.
Freshman guard, Starrell Hearns erupted for a game-high, 25 points (8-14 FG, 4-7 3-PT, 5-5 FT) as the visiting team enjoyed six players in double-figures for the contest. Hearns made the most of his 2nd start of the year, playing 31 minutes and added 4 rebounds. The NCAA Division II's top shot-blocker didn't disappoint as her registered three blocks to compliment his fifth double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 boards.
Both teams received votes in the NCAA East Region rankings released this week and they battled to a 47-47 tie at the halftime break. In the 2nd half, the Bears pulled in front by seven, 63-56 on a jumper from Ngene within the first five minutes of play. By the 12:00 minute mark CSI had erased their deficit and the teams were knotted again, this time at 70-70. Bloomfield put together a 16-6 spurt that gave them control of the battle after another Ngene bucket.
The Dolphins made a final push, cutting the Bears lead to, 90-86 with 1:08 to play but the visitors wouldn't be denied and closed out the regional showdown 10-4 to secure the win. Izaiah Poole, Al Fatir Connor and Abdallah Elsaleh each chipped in 14 points and Deavion Ellis rounded out the Bloomfield's top-scorers with 12 points.
Next on the Bears schedule will be a Wednesday, Feb 28 showdown with the University of Bridgeport. The CACC match-up on the road is set for a 6:00 p.m. start in Connecticut. Bloomfield will close out their 2023-24 campaign with a shot at being the CACC North Division regular season champion on Saturday, March 2 when they host Caldwell University for Senior Day.
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