BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (8-7, 4-1 CACC) picked up an 81-70 road victory over Bridgeport (7-8, 3-4 CACC) on Saturday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The score was even at two early before the Rams netted five in a row for a 7-2 advantage. The Purple Knights were within two (9-7) when Jefferson pulled away with a 20-5 run to increase the margin to 17 (29-12) with 9:38 to go in the half. All five starters contributed to the surge.
 
Bridgeport answered with seven consecutive points to make it 29-19 before the Rams responded with back-to-back threes for a 16-point cushion (35-19) with 6:50 on the clock. The Purple Knights tallied 10 of the next 13 to cut the deficit to nine (38-29) but Jefferson stopped the rally and had a 12-point lead (44-32) at halftime. The Rams shot 58.6% (17-of-29) in the period while holding Bridgeport to 35.3% (12-of-34).
 
After a Jefferson layup to begin the second half, the Purple Knights posted five in a row to make it a nine-point game (46-37). However, the Rams countered with an 8-0 run to restore a 17-point margin (54-37) with 15:43 remaining. The score was 57-42 when Bridgeport strung together six points to get within nine again at 57-48 but Jefferson followed with nine of the next 11 to up the difference to 16 (66-50) with 7:41 to play. The Purple Knights did not get within single digits again the rest of the way.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Erik Timko: 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Antonin Kemkeng: 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 11 rebounds, 2 assists
Hakim Byrd: 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Bismark Nsiah: 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 30-of-53 (56.6%)
3PT: 5-of-17 (29.4%)
FT: 16-of-20 (80.0%)
 
NOTES
- Erik Timko recorded his third straight 20-point game.
- Antonin Kemkeng posted his fourth double-double of the season and the 22^nd of his career.
- The Rams shot over 50% for the fifth time this year.
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson visits Goldey-Beacom for a conference matchup on Tuesday, January 10^th at 8 p.m.