BUFFALO – The Bryant men's basketball team scored the first 18 points of the game and cruised to a 87-64 victory over Buffalo on Thursday night at Alumni Arena.

Bryant's victory is its first-ever over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) member and moves the Bulldogs to 2-1 on the year.  

Rafael Pinzon led five Bulldogs in double figures with 15, while Earl Timberlake added 12 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Keyshawn Mitchell (10p, 7r), Barry Evans (13p, 3-4 3pFG) and Kam Farris (11p) added double-digit scoring efforts. Connor Withers finished with five points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks.

Game Information
Bryant 87, Buffalo 64
Records: Bryant 2-1 | Buffalo 2-2
Location: Alumni Arena (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Attendance: 1159

Key Moments

• Bryant opened the game on an 18-0 run and never looked back.

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the game on a 6-of-10 start from the field, while also forcing three Buffalo turnovers in the first 4:10.
• Evans opened the scoring with a three from the wing.
• A transition three from Mitchell made it 13-0 and led to a Buffalo timeout just 2:54 in.
• Withers then canned a three and Timberlake sank two free throws to make it 18-0.
• Farris and Evans helped push the lead to 29-10 with 9:40 left. Farris sank two jumpers and Evans swished a three.
• Mitchell completed a three-point play to give Bryant a 43-15 lead with 5:28 left.
• Farris closed out the explosive first half with a three-pointer following a steal by Withers.
• The three gave Bryant a 50-25 lead at the break.
• Bryant opened the second half with seven straight points, including five from Evans.
• Following a three-point play from Timberlake, the Bulldogs would go just 9-of-26 from the field over the next 14 minutes.

Stats

• Bryant finished 31-of-79 (39.2 percent) from the field, 10-of-27 (37.0 percent) from three and 15-of-20 (75.0 percent) from the line.
• Bryant outrebounded Buffalo, 52-37.
• The Bulldogs commited just eight turnovers and forced Buffalo into 16.
• Pinzon led Bryant with 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field. He was 3-of-5 from three.
• Timberlake collected 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
• Evans posted 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from three.
• Mitchell finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
• Farris posted 11 points.
• Withers finished with six points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals.
• Robinson went 6-of-6 from the line and finished with eight points.

Game Notes

• Bryant's victory is its first over a MAC school.
• Pinzon recorded his 32^nd career double-digit scoring effort.
• Timberlake notched his 56th career double-digit scoring effort.
• Timberlake opened the season 13-of-13 from the free throw line before missing his final attempt on Thursday.
• Withers matched his career high with 12 rebounds.
• Evans has now finished in double figures in each of the first three games.
• Evans set a career high with his three 3-point field goals.
• Farris notched his second double-digit scoring effort of the year.
• Mitchell posted his second double-digit scoring effort of the year.

Up Next
Bryant heads to Delaware on Monday night to face the Blue Hens. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m.