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WATERBURY, Conn. – Senior Travis Carbajal (Oklahoma City, Okla.) missed a three-pointer as time expired as the Post University men's basketball nearly erased a 16-point second-half deficit in its season-opener on Saturday afternoon in an 87-85 loss to Bridgeport. The Eagles outscored the Purple Knights 32-18 over the final ten minutes of the game.
 
Down 84-77 with 0:49 left, senior Zach Krischer (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) was fouled as he made a fadeaway from distance. He made the ensuing foul shot to complete the four-point play and cut the deficit to three points. JoJo Swift was fouled on Bridgeport's next possession and made one of two free-throws to extend its lead back out 85-81 with 0:28 left.
 
Krischer missed from long-range on Post's next possession and the Eagles were forced to foul after Ognjen Zoric grabbed the defensive board. Zoric missed both from the line and Carbajal was drew a foul on the rebound. Carbajal hit 1-of-2 from the line and Swift answered with two made free throws next time down the court to give the Purple Knights an 87-82 lead with just 0:08 remaining.
 
Senior Derrick Strong (St. Louis, Mo.) found Krischer, who finished with 10 points, in the corner for clutch three-pointer with 0:04 left which cut the deficit to 87-85.
 
Bridgeport missed its first free throw on its next possession and was called for a lane violation after the second to give Post the ball back with a chance to win. The Eagles rushed up the court and Carbajal was unable to make the winner with two-defenders in his face.
 
Carbajal finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Junior AJ Harris (Inglewood, Calif.) led Post with 14 points and also added five boards, four assists, and three steals. Strong and junior Mike Manning (Philadelphia, Pa.) each scored 11 points.
 
The Eagles struggled in the first half as Bridgeport opened up a 20-4 lead with 13:14 left in the period. Post slowly chipped away and eventually got as close as seven with 4:15 remaining. The Purple Knights took a 50-38 lead into the break.
 
During the first ten minutes of the second half, Post was unable to get closer than nine points. The momentum began to turn as Swift picked up a technical foul and Bridgeport was called for back-to-back offensive fouls.
 
Manning made a layup to cut the deficit to 77-72 with 4:00 left. Harris stole the ball from Antoine Brown on the ensuing possession and finished with a dunk to pull Post within three. Manning scored after another Purple Knights' offensive foul to close the gap to 77-76 with 3:26 remaining before Bridgeport was able pull further ahead.
 
The Eagles bench outscored Bridgeport 27-12, but Post was outrebounded by a 45-26 margin. Each team had 17 rebounds in the second-half. Swift led all scorers with 25 points.
 
Post is back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) foe Nyack at home. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.