SMITHFIELD, RI --   John Williams (Springfield, MA) scored 24 points and drained six three-point field goals to help lead Bryant to a 94-88 win over Assumption in overtime Monday night.  The win, Bryant's third-straight, improves the Bulldogs' record to 8-3 overall and 3-3 in the Northeast-10.  Assumption, led by Mike Foti's (Franklin, MA) team-high 22 points, drops to 3-9 overall (1-6 NE-10). 

     The Bulldogs led, 41-40 at the half but a 15-4 run by the Greyhounds gave the visitors a 59-54 lead early in the second half.  The Bulldogs would answer with a 13-3 run to stake a 67-62 lead as Williams helped key the run with a long three and a drive in the lane. 

     Assumption would not go away.  After a pair of Chris Burns (Merrimack, NH) free throws in the final minute of regulation, Assumption's Josh Melucci (Cranston, RI) drained a three-pointer from the top of the key with 20 seconds left to tie the game at 79-79.  Williams runner in the lane rimmed out in the closing seconds sending the contest into overtime.

    In the extra period, Bryant outscored Assumption 15-9, making 9-of-10 free throws to help seal the victory.  Burns would finish with 22 points including four 3-pointers for Bryant while Jon Ezeokoli (South Orange, NJ) added 21 points and 10 rebounds.  The Bulldogs shot 45.6 percent from the floor and made 22 of 27 free throws in the game.

     Assumption shot 48.5 percent and out-rebounded Bryant, 44-35, but turned the ball over 23 times and made 19 of 29 free throws.  Melucci, a senior forward, finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds while Corey Diethorn (Pittsburgh, PA) added 14 points and two steals.

    Bryant will travel to Bentley College this Thursday night (7:30 pm) for a rematch of last year's NCAA Regional Championship game, won by the Bulldogs, 74-64.  Assumption will be at Merrimack Thursday (7:30 pm).

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 Post-Game Notes

* John Williams moved into 11th all-time in career scoring at Bryant with 1,335 career points.  The senior passed former standout Jerome Grier '96 who scored 1,326 from 1992 to 1996. 

* Max Good won his 80th game at Bryant and 189th in his 15th year as a coach

* Bryant has won three-straight, scoring more than 90 points in all three games

* Bryant got back to .500 in conference play (3-3) for the first time since the Dec. 3 win over Southern Connecticut had the Bulldogs 2-2.

* Bryant was out-rebounded for the fourth-straight game and seventh overall.

* Bryant has made 32 three-pointers in the last three games