Big Second Half Lifts Men's Basketball To A 104-90 Win Over Adelphi To Wrap Up Season-Opening Crossover Classic At 2-0

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport men's basketball team used a big second half to post a big regional win over a tough Adelphi University Panthers team on Sunday evening in Hubbell Gym, as the Purple Knights moved to 2-0 on the young season with a hard-fought 104-90 victory to cap off the 2017 UB Men's Basketball Crossover Classic.  With the loss, AU is now an even 1-1 so far in 2017-18.

With the scored tied at 46-46 at the half, Bridgeport raced out to a 17-point, 80-63, lead with 10:38 to play in the final stanza, but the visiting Panthers would not go quietly, as they pulled to within one-point of the Purple Knights at 89-88 with 3:16 to go.  UB would then close things out 15-2 to pull away for the 104-90 win.

Junior Eric Rankin (Bronx, N.Y.) had a stellar night for the winners, as he led a balanced Bridgeport offensive attack that saw seven players score at least seven points, with 24 points, and he also tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight boards.  Rankin also chipped in three assists and three steals on the night.

He was joined in double-figure score by senior Sharif Cobb (Harlem, N.Y.) and freshman Yasir Lawrence (Elmont, N.Y.), who each had 13 points, and freshman Travis Morgan-Robinson (Elmont, N.Y.) added 11 points for the winners.

UB guards senior Sam Joseph (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and junior D'Vonne Trumbo (Pilesgrove, N.J.) each had nine points for the Purple Knights, and Trumbo almost finished with a triple-double, as he also had eight assists and eight rebounds.

Up next, the UB men's basketball team will take part in the LIU Post Classic next Saturday and Sunday on Long Island.  The Purple Knights will open play on Long Island against Nutmeg State rival Post University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in Brookville, N.Y.