Manchester, N.H. - Senior Dion Waiters
(Brooklyn, N.Y.) converted a lay-up with 43 second to play to give
the seventh-seed University of Bridgeport a 57-56 lead over the
second-seeded Assumption College Greyhounds, as the Purple Knights
advance to the NCAA Division Regional Final for the first time in
21 years, with a 58-56 victory. Sunday night's tilt was a
see-saw contest that featured nine ties and 15 lead changes.
UB moves on to Division II's Sweet 16 with an overall record of
23-9. Assumption ends its season at 21-8. The Purple
Knights have won for games in a row and 16 of 17.
Waiters led Bridgeport with 18 points, and he was joined in double
figures by classmate Darian David with 13 points. Waiters
also had a team-high seven rebounds for the Purple Knights.
Tim Beinert led three Assumption players in double figures with 18
points.
With the game tied 19-19 with 4:34 to play in the first half,
Bridgeport closed out the first 20 minutes of play on an 11-2 to
grab a 30-21 halftime lead. The Greyhounds did not score a
field goal over the final 6:22 of the first half.
Assumption stormed back early in the second half to take a 42-40
with 13:00 minutes to play, and neither team would lead by more
than three points the rest of the night.
Playing in its first regional final since 1992, the Purple Knights
will face the Ravens of Franklin Pierce, the number one seed in the
region. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on the campus of
Southern New Hampshire University.
Provided by the Bridgeport Sports Information Department.
