The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team survived a late rally for a big 87-85 East Coast Conference victory at the University of Bridgeport. Seven scorers posted double-figures for STAC, which moved into a tie for first with the win. STAC has won five straight and now stands at 12-8 overall and 9-2 in conference, dropping Bridgeport to 13-5, 9-2.

Jules de Courtenay started with the hot hand, netting six early points in an 8-2 STAC lead. Bridgeport would quickly draw to within one by running off the next five points and, after a fast start, the defenses started to take charge. Willie Williams converted a three-point-play to give the hosts their largest lead at 30-21 with just under six to play in the half, but the Spartans were just getting warmed up.

Five different Spartans hit the scoresheet in a late 15-5 run, with Marcus Henderson's three pointer giving his team a 36-35 lead that it would carry into the break.

High drama remained in order after halftime, with the lead changing hands no less than 13 times over the first eight minutes of the second stanza. Naqwan Crowell's three pointer would give the Purple Knights a 62-59 lead at the midway point of the half, when STAC would take charge in startling fashion.

Aaron Cust would draw the Spartans to within one and Henderson would follow with a bucket to give the visitors a 63-62 lead with 8:46 left. A Justin Reyes dunk gave STAC the momentum, and another Henderson trey followed by field goals from de Courtenay and Alushula Odongo capped a stunning 13-0 run and the Spartans held a 72-62 advantage with under seven minutes to play.

Reyes added another dunk and the Spartans seemed ready to cruise with an 84-69 lead with just 3:12 remaining. The  defending conference champs were not to go down without a fight, reeling off nine points in just over a minute and utilizing a Devon Elliott three-pointer to cap a frantic 15-1 run, cutting the deficit to 85-84 with 15 seconds left.

Freshman Shaq McFarlan would calmly sink two free throws to open the gap to three, and would then foul Elliott with time elapsing. Elliott would make one of the two, and the Spartans would hold on for the big road victory.

Chaz Watler (14 points), Odongo (14), de Courtenay (12), Henderson (12),  McFarlan (12), Cust (12), and Reyes (11) all shared in the STAC attack. Ernest Rouse led the way for the Purple Knights with a game-high 18, with Willie Williams (17), Elliott (15) and Jesse Jones (12) all hitting doubles as well. STAC shot 57% from the field (36-63), with UB close behind at 56% (31-55).

The Spartans have a quick turnaround, returning to action this Saturday, January 31, when Dowling College visits Aquinas Hall for another ECC battle. The men's contest will start at 3:30 pm as the back end of a double-header, featuring the women's teams hitting the floor for a 1:00 pm start.