Purple Knights Nipped In A Shootout By UMass Lowell, 108-105, To Open 2011-12 Campaign

Bridgeport, Conn.-Senior William Harrison (Bronx, N.Y.) and junior Darian David (Bronx, N.Y.) each scored 22 points to lead five University of Bridgeport men's basketball players in double figures in the Purple Knights' 2011-12 season opener in Hubbell Gym on Saturday afternoon, but the Purple Knights fell in a high-scoring affair, 108-105, to the visiting UMass Lowell River Hawks.  Harrison hit 8-of-11 field goals including going 6-of-8 from three-point range.  David went 8-of-16 from the field and was strong at the free throw line going 6-of-8 from the stripe.

Also scoring in double figures for UB were junior Hakeem Rodriguez (Queensbridge, N.Y.), who had a double-double with 18 points and 14 assists, senior Eion Lewis (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who had a double-double with 19 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, six of which came on the offensive glass, and senior Dante Menter (Brooklyn, NY) chipped in 11 points.

UMass Lowell also had five players reach double-figure scoring led by Akeem Williams, who netted a career-high 35 points.

UB dominated the backboard in the game, as the Purple Knights outrebounded the River Hawks, 50-29.  Bridgeport was plagued by poor free throw shooting in the contest hitting only 21 of 39 (53.8%) from the line.  UML missed only three free throws on the day going 22 of 25 from the stripe.

Bridgeport returns to action on Sunday as they play they host Southern Connecticut State at 4:00 p.m. to close out the 2011 UB Men's Basketball Classic.  UMass Lowell takes on Post University at 2:00 p.m. in Hubbell Gym.