BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 13, 2010) – The C.W. Post men's basketball team earned its seventh straight win defeating top East Coast Conference rival University of Bridgeport, 69-64, as three Pioneers scored in double figures Wednesday evening at the Pratt Recreation Center

C.W. Post improved its overall record to 10-4, 6-2 in the East Coast Conference. The loss drops Bridgeport to an 8-6 overall record, 7-1 in conference play.

Freshman Jonathan Kohler (Bordentown, N.J.) led the Pioneers with 23 points, shooting 3-5 from the three point range, and scoring in double figures for the eighth consecutive contest, while pulling down seven rebounds. Senior forward Nemanja Jokic (Bronx, N.Y.) earned his third double-double of the season, with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Aaron Hall ( Syracuse, N.Y.) contributed 14 points and seven rebounds to the effort, while shooting 6-9 (66.6%) from the field.

Bridgeport senior Demetrious Phillips (Baltimore, Md.) put the Purple Knights on the board first, hitting a free throw just forty seconds into the first half. Jokic answered back with a jumper of his own to lead the Pioneers into the game and take an early lead. Phillips added another two points, giving Bridgeport a 3-2 lead, which would prove to be the Purple Knights final advantage of the contest less than two minutes into the first half.

Kohler's layup off a pass inside from teammate Billy Butler (Elmont, N.Y.) would allow the Pioneers to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game. The Purple Knights kept on the heels of their opponent, remaining within a mere six points, before the Pioneers would go on a 16-7 run to close out the first twenty minutes of play, 34-23.

C.W. Post exploded into the second half, as Jokic and Hall scored a combined eight points to give the Pioneers a comfortable 17 point lead at the 16:17 mark. The Pioneers experienced their greatest lead of the game as Jokic hit a three, bringing the score to 51-31 with just over 12 minutes left in play. Bridgeport continued to pursue their opponent, as junior guard Jermaine Washington (Philadelphia, Pa.) swished a trey and two free throws to pull within 10 points of C.W. Post. The Purple Knights continued to turn up the heat, as a layup from Lee Frazier (Bridgeton, N.J.) would cut the Pioneers down to a 65-64 lead with a mere 16 seconds left. A pair of free throws each from junior Gil Montalvo (Astoria, N.Y.) and Kohler would ensure the win for C.W. Post

Washington led Bridgeport with 16 points while pulling down three rebounds while senior forward Kirk Williams (White Plains, N.Y.) added fourteen points and three steals of his own.

The Pioneers held an edge from the field shooting 54% (27-50) compared to the Purple Knights 37% (23-62). C.W. Post scored 42 points in the paint and 17 points off Bridgeport turnovers.

C.W. Post will be back in action Saturday, January 16, as they travel to Mercy College for an East Coast Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.