Basketball teams advance to CACC Semis

^{By: Andrew Mees, Director of College and Athletics Communications                    communications@bloomfield.edu} 

With home victories Saturday afternoon, Bloomfield’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have each advanced to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Tournament Semifinals, putting the clubs just two victories from punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Both programs will take on CACC South Division institution Holy Family University in the Tournament Semifinals, which are set for Friday, Mar. 7.  The Semifinals and Finals of the CACC Tournament will take place at Caldwell College in Caldwell, N.J.

Tip-off for the men’s contest against Holy Family is scheduled for 2 p.m., while the women’s matchup against the Tigers is set for 7 p.m.  If victorious, the clubs will advance to the Tournament Finals, which will take place Saturday, Mar. 8. 

The top-seeded men’s team cruised to an 84-62 victory over fourth-seeded Chestnut Hill College in the opener, outscoring the Griffins by 11 points in each half to secure the lopsided victory.  In pursuit of their fourth consecutive CACC Tournament crown, the Deacons saw five players reach double figures in scoring on the afternoon, with the balanced offensive attack led by 15 points from sophomore Claude Blue (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

Earning their 20^th victory of the season with the win over the Griffins, the men’s team will face second-seeded Holy Family in the Semis.  In the clubs’ regular season meeting on Feb. 1, a game-high 20 points from junior guard Marvin Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) led the Deacons to a 72-66 home victory over the Tigers.

“We have taken the first step towards achieving our goal of winning the Tournament,” head coach Gerald Holmes said.  “Holy Family is a very good team that has had a great season.  We will need to play our best basketball if we want to advance past this game.  I know our player will be ready for this challenge.”

Advancing to the Semis for the first time in three seasons, the women’s team advanced to the league’s final four Saturday with a 61-52 victory over fourth-seeded Goldey Beacom College.  Junior center Tierra Scott (Bear, De.) led the Lady Deacons with 13 points and nine rebounds in the win, while rookie guard Tianna Smith (Nanuet, N.Y.) added 12 points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists.

Bloomfield will take on perennial women’s basketball power Holy Family for the second time this season, with the Lady Deacons topping the Tigers 60-56 in their regular season matchup Feb. 1.  The dramatic win was the team’s first over Holy Family in nine seasons, with the Tigers eliminating the club from postseason play in each of the last two campaigns.

“Holy Family is a great program, and they have a great team this year,” first-year head coach David Caputo said.  “But I think the season we have had, and the way we played them during the regular season shows we have a great team as well.  This is what it’s all about, and why we work as hard as we do to get better each day.  We are really excited for this opportunity, and we can’t wait to get on the floor on Friday.”

Fans unable to attend the games can watch online via live webcasting.  Visit collegetvticket.com to see Bloomfield in action.