BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Freshman Fope Okuyiga had a career night on Wednesday but it wasn't enough as the No. 5 Roberts Wesleyan men's basketball team fell to No. 4 University of Bridgeport, 92-82 in the first round of the East Coast Conference Championships.
 
Okuyiga finished the game with 27 points and seven rebounds. The freshman's game-high before Wednesday night was 15 points against NYIT on Feb. 15. Senior Justin Vaughan added 20 points.
 
Okuyiga and Vaughan helped the Redhawks keep pace with the Purple Knights but a 7-0 run in the second half by Bridgeport at the 14:50 mark helped the hosts build a double digit lead.
 
Bridgeport was able to get scoring help from nine different players and had six players score double digits.
 
The Redhawks also lost the turnover battle, giving the ball away 22 times to the Purple Knight's pressure-filled defense. The turnovers led to 25 points for Bridgeport.
 
Roberts Wesleyan ended the season 14-13 and will now play in the NCCAA National Tournament hosted by Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.