Big Comeback Falls Just Short For Men's Basketball At Bentley

Waltham Mass. - Bentley University senior guard Sam Leclerc scored a game-high 18 points, six coming after the University of Bridgeport took its only lead of the final 37 minutes, as the Falcons won for the third time in four games, 67-64 over the visiting Purple Knights in non-conference men's college basketball Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center.

After trailing by as many as 18 in the first half, Bridgeport (1-2) battled back after the intermission and eventually took a 60-59 lead when senior forward Eion Lewis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) capped a 16-7 spurt by sinking the first of two free throws with 3:34 left.

Leclerc took things into his own hands, knocking down a three-ball from the left wing on Bentley's next possession to put the Falcons back in front, 62-60 with 2:53 left, a lead which they never relinquished.  He drew a charge on Lewis at the defensive end and made it a three-point game by hitting the second of two free throws with 1:25 on the clock.

Junior Darian David (Bronx, N.Y.) led the Purple Knights in scoring with 17 points.

Also netting double figures were senior Dante Menter (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 12 points, and junior Hakeem Rodriguez (Queensbridge, N.Y.) fell just short of a triple-double with 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The UB men will continue their five-game road trip at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut on Tuesday evening.

Thanks to Bentley Sports Information For Contributing To This Story