Bryant falls to Robert Morris, 68-54, in NEC opener Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Sabastian Townes (Chesapeake, Va.) had 14 points and six rebounds, but the Bryant University men's basketball team dropped its Northeast Conference opener to Robert Morris, 68-54, Friday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

GAME INFORMATION
Robert Morris 68, Bryant 54
Records: Bryant (1-13, 0-1), Robert Morris (7-7, 1-0)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Attendance: 305

KEY MOMENTS

• Bryant jumped out to a 15-9 lead halfway through the first half while holding the Colonials to a 2-for-12 start from the floor.
• Townes gave the Bulldogs eight points in the first eight minutes of the second half as the Bulldogs led by as many as five.
• Robert Morris trailed 44-39 before a 10-0 run that gave the Colonials an advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
• The Colonials closed the game on a 19-8 run for the final 68-54 margin.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bryant led 15-9 halfway through the first half with six points from freshman Brandon Carroll (Brewster, N.Y.) and four from senior Hunter Ware (Powder Springs, Ga.).
• The Bulldogs led 29-28 at the half while holding the Colonials to 37 percent shooting from the floor.
• Eight Bulldogs scored in the first half.
• A pair of three-point plays by Townes helped the Bulldogs to a 39-37 lead with 13:55 remaining.
• A 10-0 Robert Morris run flipped a five-point Colonial deficit to a five-point lead at 49-44 with 8:47 to go.
• Robert Morris closed the game on a 19-8 run while going 11-for-12 from the free-throw line.

STATS

• Townes tallied 14 points with a career-best 8-for-12 performance from the line and added six rebounds.
• Carroll recorded nine points and six rebounds.
• Junior Taylor McHugh (Centreville, Va.) had a season-high four assists and career-high three steals.

GAME NOTES

• Bryant falls to 4-13 all-time against Robert Morris.
• Townes was in double figures in scoring for the seventh time this season.
• Ware matched his season-high with eight points.
• The 68 points allowed were a season-best.
• Friday's starting lineup – McHugh, sophomore Adam Grant (Franklin, Va.), sophomore Ikenna Ndugba (Boston, Mass.), Carroll and Townes – was the 10^th different lineup combination this season, tied with FGCU and UT Martin for the most in the nation.

UP NEXT
Bryant continues NEC play Sunday at 3 p.m. when the Bulldogs host Saint Francis U as part of a doubleheader.

Tickets are available starting at just $5 for the Bulldogs' remaining games over winter break – Sunday vs. Saint Francis U and Jan. 11 vs. Wagner – through an online-only promotion by clicking HERE.

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