The St. Thomas Aquinas men's basketball team suffered another close loss, 75-74 to the University of Bridgeport. Ra'Shad James had 27 points and 5 rebounds. Freshman Justin Brown added 22 points and 4 rebounds.
Brown scored a basket plus a free throw with 11:25 on the clock in the first half to give STAC a 17-15 lead. Bridgeport's Kirk Williams scored a layup tying the game then added two free throws in the next possession to take the lead 19-17. Vincent Johnson scored a layup tying the game for STAC. Bridgeport ran off a 17-3 run over the next six and a half minutes taking a 36-22 lead. STAC responded with a 10-2 run of their own to close within six at the break.
STAC regained the lead with 7:51 left in the game by a three pointer by James. The Spartans stretched their lead to six behind another three from James with 6:17 left in the game. Bridgeport regained the lead with a layup from Steve Martin, 61-60 with 4:35 remaining. The Purple Knights extended their lead to eight with :57 seconds left on the clock but the Spartans would not go away quietly as they pulled within one as James hit a three at the buzzer.
Johnson added 9 points and 6 rebounds. Williams led Bridgeport with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Dave Boykin added 12 while Tim Cokley and Martin each had 10. The Purple Knights won the battle on the boards 34-28.
STAC will be back in action as they host Queens College on Saturday for a 3 PM game.