CHAMPS! Men's Basketball Defeats Post to Earn First-Ever CACC Title

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – CHAMPS! The University of Bridgeport's men's basketball team defeated second-seeded Post University, 67-57, on Sunday to win the program's first-ever CACC title. The Purple Knights, who are conference champions for the first time since 2015 (ECC), will now play in the 2025 NCAA East Regional next weekend.

The Purple Knights will learn where they will play and their opponent in the Big Dance tonight during the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Selection Show (11 p.m.).

Bridgeport's win over the Eagles caps off a tournament run that featured a trio of victories over higher-seeded teams (Chestnut Hill, Dominican, Post). The Purple Knights also avenged a pair of regular-season losses to Post on Sunday.

Coach Krunch's squad, which was picked to finish last in the CACC in the preseason, was relentless in their pursuit of UB's first NCAA tournament bid since 2018.

In a year of terrific offense, the Purple Knights used lockdown defense against Post. UB limited the Eagles to just 57 total points and an 18-of-54 (33.3%) performance from the field which served as their second-lowest percentage of the season.

Offensively, it was another balanced attack for the Purple Knights and another superb effort from the bench. UB's bench put three in double figures and outscored Post's bench by a 38-12 margin.

The Purple Knights' balance went further than just points as nine different players combined for UB's 12 assists in the game.

Aliou Cisse, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led UB in scoring with 14 points. He is now averaging 19.7 points per game this season on 53.3% shooting from the field.

Malikai Delgado (12 pts), Jason Edokpayi (12 pts) and Justin Hendrick (11 pts) all finished in double figures off Bridgeport's bench. Delgado was selected to the CACC's All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the game.

Caleb Jacobs, who also ended up on the CACC's All-Tournament Team, was once again sensational for the Purple Knights against Post. He neared a championship double-double of eight points and nine rebounds.

Jacobs together averages of 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists during UB's three postseason wins while Delgado tallied numbers of 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per contest.

Bridgeport's advantage over Post on Sunday also featured a 40-35 edge on the boards.

The Purple Knights continue to lead the CACC in almost every rebounding category this season, including total rebounds per game (44.5), offensive rebounds per game (16.1) and rebounding margin (+5.3).

UP NEXT
Bridgeport will play in the NCAA East Regional which will take place on March 15-18 at the region's top seed to be announced tonight on the selection show (11 p.m.).