Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Senior forward Preston Bell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) tied a career-high Saturday afternoon with 22 points but the Southern Connecticut State University men's basketball team was defeated by Bridgeport in its season opener, 84-70. With the loss, the Owls are 0-1 on the season and Bridgeport is 1-0.

Early in the first half, the game went back and forth throughout as neither team was able to control a lead. However, with 12:41 remaining in the half, Bridgeport went up by two and never looked back. The Purple Knights led by as many as 13 points in the first half but the Owls were able to cut the lead down to 8 at halftime. SCSU entered the half trailing 46-38 despite shooting 43.3% from the field compared to 39.5% for Bridgeport.

Bridgeport came out strong to start the second half by scoring the first six points and increasing its lead by 14. The Owls answered back by going on a 14-2 run to cut the lead to two. It would not be enough however as the Purple Knights pulled away late in the game to defeat the Owls, 84-70.

Bell led all scorers with 22 points, tying his career high which he last recorded on Dec. 28 last season against Dominican. Senior guard Derrick Corbett (New Haven, Conn.) and sophomore guard Andrew Zito (Windsor, Conn.) each tallied 14 points to join Bell in double figures. Freshman guard Chris Harris (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was the leading assist man with seven as well as the leading rebounder with eight. He contributed six points as well in his Owl's debut.

Sophomore guard Lance Long (New Haven, Conn.) added seven points and sophomore center John Mazzarella (Wallingford, Conn.) netted two. Freshman forward Kieran Ramsey (N. Hollywood, Calif.) scored his first career points for the Owls, adding five.

Dave Boykins had a team-high 15 points for Bridgeport. Joining him in double figures were Teairez Stennis (14), Steve Martin (13), Demetrious Phillips (10) and Jermaine Washington (10).

For the game, Southern Connecticut shot 25-for-57 (43.9%) from the floor, 3-for-12 (25%) from three-point range and 17-for-30 (56.7%) from the free throw line. Bridgeport shot 30-for-67 (44.8%) from the field, 10-for-21 (47.6%) from behind the arc and 14-for-27 (51.9%) from the line.

The Owls return to the court tomorrow, Nov. 16 for their second game of the Bridgeport Tournament. They will face NYIT at 6:00 p.m.