Strong Defensive Effort Helps Purple Knights Top Division I Fairfield University, 63-59, In Men's Basketball Exhibition Contest

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport men's basketball team held the Division I Fairfield University Stags without a field goal over the last 9:06 of the game, as the Purple Knights came back from a six-point, 39-33 halftime deficit, to post a 63-59 win in an exhibition contest held at the Webster Bank Arena in front of 1.984 fans on Friday night.

Bridgeport played excellent defense on the night limiting the Stags to a field goal percentage of only 17.9 (5 of 28) in the second half and a 35.6 (21 of 59) field percentage for the game.  UB also outrebounded Fairfield, 39-37, and the Purple Knights were credited with 11 steals as they forced 14 turnovers by the Stags on the night.

Senior JoJo Swift (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led Bridgeport and all players in the game in scoring with 21 points on the night, as he connected on 11 of 12 free throws, and he also had four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Newcomer Sean Berry (Jr., Irvington, N.J.) was a dominating force in the middle for Bridgeport notching a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.  Berry also had two blocked shots for the winners.

Senior Ivan Simic (Belgrade, Serbia) was just shy of double-digit scoring with eight points, and Simic also had four rebounds and two steals for the Purple Knights.

Maurice Barrow led Fairfield in scoring netting 16 points.   Amadou Sidibe led the Stags on the boards grabbing 13 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive glass.

The UB men's basketball team is now set to open its 2013-14 regular season when the Purple Knights host Felician College on Saturday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. as part of the season-opening University of Bridgeport Men's Basketball Classic.