BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - The Bloomfield College men's basketball team won a thriller at home against Concordia College in overtime Thursday night by a score of 106-97, keeping their post-season hopes alive. Senior forward Matt Hall (Brooklyn, N.Y) led the Bears with 27 points while grabbing 9 rebounds. Junior classmates, Claude Blue (Brooklyn, N.Y) and Clarence White (Bronx, N.Y.) each contributed double-doubles; Blue netted 18 points and 11 rebounds while White clawed out 26 points to go along with 11 boards.
 
The Bears looked good at the start as they took a 24-17 lead with 9:55 remaining in the opening frame.  Concordia's Jamie Holder (Milford, N.H.) then seized control of the Clipper's offense, sparking a 9-0 run to give the visitors a 26-24 lead with 7:28 left to play in the period. The two teams traded leads a few times until Holder's layup at the 4:26 minute mark gave the Clippers a 34-32 advantage. Concordia controlled the momentum for the rest of the half and went into the break up 44-35.
 
Halftime didn't seem to cool Holder off one bit as the Clippers went on a 14-6 run to start the second half. Holder and his teammate Jalen Heath (Joliet, I.L.) helped lead Concordia to a 58-43 lead with 16:48 left in the game however the Bears were poised for a comeback.
 
Senior guard, Marvin Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) and Blue led Bloomfield all the way back capped by a 10-0 run that tied the game at 64-64 with 11:00 remaining in regulation. The game intensity rose as the two teams battled for an advantage, trading the lead back and forth. With 2:23 left on the clock, the Clippers found themselves up 91-85 on the back of three consecutive possessions draining three-point baskets.  The home crowd seemed reluctant to accept that Bloomfield faced a season sweep at the hands of the Clippers for the first time in school history and the Bears proved to have another comeback in them.
 
Led by Hall and White, Bloomfield erased the six-point deficit and took a 92-91 lead with just 00:39 remaining in the second half.  The clock trickled down to ten seconds and Heath hit a huge bucket from beyond the arc to give Concordia a 94-92 lead.
 
After a Clipper timeout, Heath committed a foul with the Bears in the double-bonus to send the home team to the foul line with a chance to tie. Williams came through in the clutch, converting on both attempts from the charity stripe, tying the game at 94-94 with just seven seconds left to play. Concordia saw one final attempt to win the game in regulation, but Blue sent the contest into overtime with a huge block on a three-point attempt.
 
The Bears carried their momentum into overtime and their defense held the Clippers to just 3 points in the extra frame pitching a shut out on field goals (0-for-13). Bloomfield converted on 7-of-10 free throw attempts to ice the game and avenge their January 29th road loss. Williams finished the night with 24 points and 5 assists.
 
The win catapulted the Bears back into second place in the North Division and improved their record to 9-12 overall and 8-6 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play. The setback dropped Concordia to 11-13 overall and 8-7 in conference action.
 
Bloomfield will look to carry their momentum into Saturday, February 14, when they host Georgian Court University. Tip off is set for 3:00 pm as the Bears celebrate Senior Day. Come out and support the team as they make a push for the playoffs. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, from the Bloomfield College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter or Instagram @GO_BCBears and be sure to utilize and look out for the hashtags BCBears and NewDayNewDen.

(story written by Mark Reyes - Sports Information Department Intern)