BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Graduate forward Derrick Thomas II recorded his first double-double in nearly two seasons, dropping 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor, with a game-high 14 rebounds for Post University Men's Basketball as the Eagles kicked off the 2025-26 season at the Bridgeport Tip-Off Tournament with an 83-76 victory over Southern Connecticut State University on Friday night. 

THE BASICS

Post University 88, Southern Connecticut State University 76

Post University (1-0)

Southern Connecticut State University (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Thomas II's double-double was his first since January 9, 2024, when he scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds against conference opponent Felician University on the road. Tonight, he accounted for 14 of Post's 14 team rebounds, leading both the Eagles and all players in the contest. As a team, Post outrebounded Southern Connecticut by a slim 44-39 margin as graduate forward Sherif Diarra also nearly finished with a double-double, chipping in a team-high nine rebounds to go along with his 10 points in the loss.

Both sides finished the game shooting over 40% as Post was 32-for-68 overall (47.1%) with a 10-for-25 effort from three (40%), but not to be outdone, the Owls were 29-for-66 (43.9%) from the floor, nailing only 5-of-23 (21.7%) of their threes. Senior forward Kazell Stewart tied for the lead in points for Southern Connecticut with 14 points, but was a perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the field while making two of his three free throws. Graduate guard Justice Ellison also had 14 points for the Owls, but went 6-for-15 overall.

Leading the way for Post was graduate forward Brody Limric, making his Eagle debut after transferring in from Central Connecticut State University, scoring 16 points in only 15 minutes off the bench, draining 6-of-9 shots, including four from long range. Limric was one of four Post players in double figures alongside Thomas II's 13 points, junior guard Zion Lott's 15 points in his Post debut, and 11 points from junior guard Ta'Quan Williams. 

Of the five ties and six lead changes that occurred in the affair, four of those ties and all six of the lead changes would happen in the first half before Post took a five-point lead into the break, 40-35. Junior guard Randy Crosby, who only played eight minutes, tied the game at 56 all with his three-point shot at the 11:45 mark of the second half, before the Eagles regained the lead for good. Led by a layup from Lott, the ensuing 7-0 run by Post, which featured three points from Lott and four points from junior Deng Akok, ended up being the beginning of the Eagles pulling away.

Although Diarra would dwindle the Owl deficit down to five points, 69-64, with 6:54 remaining in regulation, Limiric would respond with a three, as would Lott following a layup from junior guard Malik Banks, which was the catalyst for Post's 12-4 run, giving them their first double-digit lead of the game, 81-68, only just over two minutes later. In a last gasp effort, Southern Connecticut rattled off six consecutive points, cutting their deficit down to seven, 81-74, with 1:30 left, at which point both sides would exchange one more basket in the seven-point victory, 83-76, for the Eagles. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Derrick Thomas II recorded only the second double-double of his career, scoring 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting with 14 rebounds -- Thomas II's only other double-double came against Felician University on the road back on January 9th, 2024, when he had 16 points and 10 rebounds 
• In his first game with Post University, Brody Limric led the Eagles with 16 points in only 15 minutes off the bench, hitting 6-of-9 shots from the field with four of those being threes 
• Four players finished in double figures for Southern Connecticut State University in Justice Ellison (14 points), Kazell Stewart (14 points), Malik Banks (13 points), and Sherif Diarra (10 points)
• In the last four matchups, Post University and Southern Connecticut State University have both won two games each, with three of the four head-to-heads coming during the Bridgeport Tip-Off Tournament since the 2021-22 season

WHO'S NEXT
The Bridgeport Tip-Off Tournament closes for Post University on Sunday when they face Franklin Pierce University at 1:00 PM. Last season, the Eagles took down the Ravens for the first time in program history, 90-88, in overtime in the same tournament hosted by Bridgeport.