BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - Bridgeport came out firing in the first half to open Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Tuesday night, leading to a 97-74 victory over the Wilmington University men's basketball team inside Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium.

The Purple Knights raced out to as large as a 20-point first-half lead by shooting 52.5 percent from the floor, putting up 51 points in the opening 20 minutes. The Wildcats came back and shot 56 percent from the field in the second half, but the Purple Knights answered every call to open CACC play with the victory.

Bridgeport turned an 11-7 lead into a 24-9 advantage with 9:46 to play in the half. The lead ballooned to 40-20 before the Wildcats tried cutting into the deficit. Zavion Bianchini started a 7-0 spurt with a layup and then Justin Perez hit a three-pointer and Hiram Alexander put in a layup, making it a 13-point game. But Bridgeport answered with their own run, regaining a 20-point lead at the half, 51-31.

The Wildcats started the second half fast, as back-to-back buckets form Tre Hawkins and Bianchini brought the Wildcats to within 14 points, 58-44, with 14:24 to play. A Denim Perkins three-pointer brought the Wildcats to within 14 again, 62-48, but that would be as close as the Wildcats would get as Bridgeport answered with another run of their own.

Tre Hawkins led the Wildcats with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, adding six rebounds and two assists. Justin Perez scored 12 points with three three-pointers while Jaylin Horsey and Jaiden Guy added 11 points each. Horsey added three steals while Guy added three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Bridgeport out-rebounded the Wildcats, 61-31, including 26 offensive rebounds, turning into 20 second-chance points.

The Wildcats return to action on Saturday when they host California (Pa.) in a nonconference contest at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening tip is set for 2:00 p.m.