n their final regular season game, Wednesday, February 21, the University of Bridgeport Men's Basketball Team posted a 59-46 win over Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Orangeburg, NY. With the win, UB (9-13 New York Collegiate Athletic Conference, 9-17 overall) finishes the season in a position to make the NYCAC playoffs as either the #7 or #8 seed in the NYCAC tournament. The Purple Knights, coached by first-year head coach Mike Ruane, also tied the most wins in a season (9), with the 1995-96 season, in which they went 9-17 under coach Bruce Webster.

  Despite starting the season 1-10, there was reason for optimism when the Purple Knights narrowly lost close games to the University of New Haven, Molloy College, Teikyo Post University, and in double overtime to Virginia Union.

  UB found the proper chemistry and rallied in the second half of the season, winning seven of their last twelve games, including a four-game winning streak that included home wins over Dowling College (53-41), Mercy College (89-76), and Concordia College (73-68), as well as a win at C.W. Post (72-68), over a team that was regionally ranked in the Northeast Region at the time.

  Bridgeport's gymnastic team has risen above and beyond the competition and is currently ranked 25th in the nation, 5th overall in Division II. After winning 8 of their last 9 meets, Bridgeport has a positive outlook for their remaining 7 meets, which include 4 regular season, division competitions; the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament; the NCAA Regional; and USAGN Nationals. Exceptionally devoted athletes include senior co-captain Laura McFarland currently ranked 12th in Division II on the uneven bars, with an average score of 9.254, and also ranked 19th in the floor exercise with a 9.345.

  Sophomore Joey-Marie Kochanski is ranked 7th on the balance beam, with a 9.417; 12th in the all-around competition, with a 36.63; and 16th in the floor exercise with a 9.425. Honorable mentions in the all-around competition are freshman Korrinne Powelski, ranked 17th with a 35.895, and sophomore Tracey Vassalluzzo, ranked 20th with a 35.6. On January 16, 2001, Powelski was named ECAC Division II Women's Gymnastics Performer of the Week.

  Bridgeport's women's basketball team has been picking up the tempo after winning two of the past three conference games. The Lady Knights now have an overall record of 3-21, tripling their record of the 1999-2000 season.

  Freshman Christal Murphy has stepped into the limelight by becoming the second- leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.9 points per game and a total of 214 rebounds this season. Junior guard Tanisha Hubbard leads the NYCAC in scoring, at 18.1 points per game. In the home win against Concordia College on February 14, Murphy had 22 points and 15 rebounds, adding to Bridgeport's 106-49 win. This was the first time the women scored over 100 points since the 1995-1996 season.