December 22, 2008

Box Score

FRIARS KNOCK-OFF BULLDOGS, 91-64, IN MONDAY BATTLE AT THE DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER

PROVIDENCE, R.I.- Cecil Gresham (Bloomfield, Conn. / MCI) scored a game-high 24 points while grabbing a team-high 5 boards, but it was not enough as Providence knocked-off Bryant 91-64 Monday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

It was Gresham's third 20-plus point game, as the junior hit two three's in the game, bringing him to within three of sixth all-time in career three-pointers made at Bryant behind Cullen McCarthy's 101.

The Bulldogs jumped out on the Friars early, forcing Providence head coach Keno Davis to call a timeout with 14:23 to go in the first half and Bryant leading, 15-12. Gresham had six of the Bulldogs first 15 points, going 3-for-5 from the floor, as Bryant started off shooting 63.6 percent.

Two free-throws by Geoff McDermott and a dunk by Brian McKenzie gave the Friars the lead back at 16-15 with 13:00 to go. McDermott led all scorers with 12 at the break.

A steal and score by Jerrann Wright (Cincinnati, Ohio / Dater) kept Bryant within striking distance, trailing 25-21 with 8:30 to go. Wright scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first half.

But the Bulldogs would go through a five minutes scoreless drought, as Providence went on a 10-0 run to push the lead up to 14 with five minutes to go before Barry Latham (Taunton, Mass. / Marianapolis) knocked down a baseline jumpshot.

Bryant continued to get good looks from the outside, but shot just 2-for-12 in the first half. The Friars shot just 5-for-18 from behind the arc but were able to get three big shots from sophomore Marshon Brooks, who scored 11 in the first half.

Offensive boards were also the enemy for Bryant, as Providence held a 14-5 edge, converting 16 second-chance points.

Gresham would hit a big jumper with 40 seconds to go and the Bulldogs managed a stop on the other end to keep Bryant within 12 at 42-30 at the half. Gresham led the Bulldogs with 10 points at the break.

A steal and score by Pete Lambert (Cumberland, R.I. / Cumberland) to start the second half cut the deficit to 10 , but that's as close as the Bulldogs would get. Providence would score 18 of the next 24 points to extend the lead to 22 at 60-38 with 14:36 to go.

The teams would trade baskets over the next three minutes, with Gresham scoring the next seven for the Bulldogs as they trailed by 21 with under 12 minutes to play.

Bryant did not surrender an offensive board in the second half, and also had one of their better shooting nights, finishing 27-59 from the field (45.8 %).

In the end, the Bulldogs could not keep up with the hot shooting Friars, as they finished the game shooting 80 percent from the floor in the second half and had four different players score in double-figures, including McDermott (17), Brooks (16), Weyinmi Efejuku (16) and Sharaud Curry (16).

Bryant travels to Maryland next for a two game road trip as they take on the Terrapins on Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) followed by a Monday night matchup with Mount St. Mary's (7 p.m.).