BRIDGEPORT, CONN. (Mar. 5, 2011) – Four players scored in double-figures but it was not enough as NYIT men’s basketball fell 79-70 to Bridgeport in the East Coast Conference semifinals Saturday evening. With the win, the Purple Knights advance to the championship game, which will be played on Sunday, March 6 at 2:30 p.m. Bridgeport, awaits the winner of the C.W. Post/Queens game.

 

The Bears were led by senior Kris Knez (Astoria, N.Y.), who posted 18 points. Fellow classmates Eric Rodgriguez (Miami, Fla.) and Jerrell Walker (Stockton, Calif.) each added 14 points, while sophomore Dominic Scurry (Ozone Park, N.Y.) tallied 13 points.

 

For the Purple Knights, David Boykin led the game with 21 points, while Tim Cokley had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The game came down to rebounding. Bridgeport held a 52-27 margin on the boards, while NYIT shot the better 49% to 41%.

 

Walker put the Bears on the scoreboard first with a jumper at 19:45 but the Purple Knights rallied and claimed a 23-12 lead with 12:44 to play. NYIT was able to cut the gap to six points, 26-20, on a jumper from Scurry with 9:49 to go. However, Bridgeport earned a 10-point lead 30-20 on a layup from Josh Martin. Free throws by Walker would make it a seven-point contest, 32-25. Yet, beginning with a jumper from Msoo Ikyaator, the Purple Knights produced an 8-4 run to close out the first half with a 40-29 advantage.

 

The Bears stormed onto the court in the second half and fought hard to knot the score. The Bears were able to hold the Purple Knights scoreless for a stretch at the 14 minute mark, but Bridgeport still held a double-digit lead. Then back-to-back three-pointers from Knez in the final fourth minute brought NYIT within five-points, 69-64. However, Boykin responded with a pair of layups to give Bridgeport a 73-64 edge with 2:07 remaining.

 

The Bears close out the 2010-2011 season with a 13-15 overall record. NYIT went 10-11 in ECC play to earn the No. 4 seed in the conference championship tournament. For his efforts during the season, sophomore Kayvon Roberts (Corona, N.Y), who missed the tournament games due to injury, earned first team All-ECC honors.