EASTON, Mass. – Keyshawn Mitchell would record a career high four blocks and post 11 boards, however the Bulldogs would end up falling to the Stonehill Skyhawks by a final score of 67-66 on Thursday night at Merkert Gymnasium .
Tonight’s loss marked the first for Black and Gold on the road this season and snapped the Bulldogs win streak at two games.
Rafael Pinzon finished 4-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and was 2-2 at the line. Earl Timberlake collected 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Connor Withers (13p, 5reb) also finished in double figures. Withers would also end the night shooting 3-5 from three.
Game Information
Bryant 66, Stonehill 67
Records: Bryant 3-2 | Stonehill 3-4
Location: Merkert Gymnasium (Easton, Mass.)
Attendance: 1,324
Key Moments
- Stonehill’s Josh Morgan would hit a turnaround jumper with 2:02 to gom and give the Skyhawks the lead.
How it Happened
- Bryant opened the first half scorching hot from beyond the arc as Rafael Pinzon and Connor Wither would each record a pair of threes.
- The Bulldogs would build an 11 point lead, 23-12, with 6:40 left.
- Stonehill would narrow the lead towards the end of the first half thanks to a 19-10 run that spanned 6:36.
- Stonehill’s Josh Morgan started the run with eight straight points, and Amir Nesbitt’s three gave the Skyhawks their first lead of the evening with 2:28 left.
- Bryant quickly answered as Kam Farris drilled a three to regain the lead.
- Pinzon beat the first half buzzer to give Bryant a 33-31 lead at the break.
- Bryant would come out hot on both ends of the floor as a blocked shot by Earl Timberlake would turn into a three by Connor Withers.
- A 7-0 run by the Bulldogs would force an early Stonehill timeout.
- Coming out of the break the Skyhawks would get back-to-back buckets from Chas Stinson and Todd Brogna to bring it within a two possession game ahead of the first media timeout.
- Brogna would then give the Skyhawks their first lead of the second half with 9:31 to go.
- The Bulldogs would get the lead back following a Barry Evans layup.
- The Skyhawks would take their largest lead of the night following an Amir Nesbitt three to put them up 59-54. Stonehill would continue to hold the Bulldogs at bay with a 12-11 run
- Earl Timberlake would fight through traffic and get Bryant to within one.
- A pair makes for Connor Withers at the free throw line would give Bryant the lead back; leading 66-65.
- Chas Stinson would go 1-2 at the line and give the Skyhawks a one point lead with 29 seconds to play.
- Last chance shots by Farris and Evans would fail to find the mark and Stonehill would win.
Stats
- Bryant finished 22-of-60 (36.7 percent) from the field, 6-of-19 (31.6 percent) from three and 16-of-21 (76.2 percent) from the line.
- Stonehill held a 51-35 advantage in rebounds.
- This is the first game this season where Bryant would be outrebounded.
- Timberlake led Bryant with 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
- Withers added 13 points, five boards and three blocks.
- Mitchell collected seven points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
- Pinzon added 12 points off the bench.
Game Notes
- The Skyhawks would come away with the victory in the first Division I match up between Bryant and Stonehill. Bryant’s last victory against the Skyhawks came on 1/13/07 when they were still a part of the NE-10.
- Bryant is now 2-1 on the road this year.
- Bryant’s two losses this season have come by a combined three points.
- Pinzon recorded his 34th career double-digit scoring effort.
- Timberlake notched his 58th career double-digit scoring effort.
- Mitchell would finish with his second double-digit rebounding effort and would tally a career high four blocks against the Skyhawks.
- Withers would record his 40th career double-digit scoring effort of his career and his third of the year.
Up Next
Bryant will head to Olean, New York to take on St. Bonaventure. Tip is set for 2:00 p.m.
