Men's Basketball Strides to CACC Win Over Bridgeport on Senior Day
PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (16-8, 9-4) stayed alongside the Purple Knights and would eventually have a second half spree that put them ahead and hold onto a 86-75 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) win over the University of Bridgeport (10-15, 4-9) in Saturday afternoon competition.
WHAT HAPPENED
Both teams would start off the game with a three pointer, with D'Andre Collins making his shot for Bridgeport while Hakim Byrd responded for the Rams. The back-and-forth scoring would continue between the teams in the first half. The Rams would go out to a 15-9 lead, but Bridgeport would respond by going on a 13-1 run to get ahead 22-16 with 7:16 left in the first half. Ahmed Barba-Bey would have seven points on a stretch, including two three-pointers, while Bsimark Nsiah and Erik Timko had dunks that would give Jefferson the lead 29-27. Justin Hawkins would hit his own three-pointer and a pair of free throws while Timko made his shot from beyond the arc and Barba-Bey converted on an and-one to get the Rams into the break up 40-30.
The second half would see both teams be similar in scoring, as Jefferson slightly edged Bridgeport 46-45. Hakim Byrd had three shots from beyond the arc go into the basket, scoring 15 of his team-leading 25 points in the second half. Byrd was 9-of-10 on the day, being perfect from beyond the arc as he was 6-6 from the three point line.. The Purple Knights would get within single digits to Jefferson, but shots from Byrd and Timko from three kept the Rams ahead over Bridgeport. Barba-Bey would keep finishing drives for Jefferson, as well as Hawkins converting on the free throw line. The Rams shot 60.87% on the field, as well as 75% from three as they were 6-8 in the last 20 minutes. Jefferson would keep Bridgeport at a distance, holding onto the 86-75 win.
Before the game, Jefferson recognized Barba-Bey, Byrd, Nsiah, Timko, Jack Moynihan, and Antonin Kemkeng as they honored their seniors on Senior Day.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Hakim Byrd: 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting (6-6 3PT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Erik Timko: 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting (2-4 3PT), 3-4 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Ahmed Barba-Bey: 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting (2-6 3PT), 3-4 FT, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
Bismark Nsiah: 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting, 4-6 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks
UP NEXT
Jefferson will go back on the road as they face another CACC North opponent when the Rams take on Caldwell University on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. in non-conference action.
