Bryant heads to Sacred Heart for Saturday clash
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Bryant University men's basketball team looks for a sweep of its first NEC road weekend of the year when the Bulldogs travel to the Nutmeg State for a Saturday clash at Sacred Heart.
The Particulars
Opponent: Sacred Heart
Location: Pitt Center (Fairfield, Conn.)
Date and Time: Saturday, Jan. 12 – 2 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row (Randy Brochu)
Live Stats: Presto Sports
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #12Seven4 | #NECMBB
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart is 6-10 on the year and one of four NEC teams at 2-1, joining Bryant, Saint Francis U and Wagner. The Pioneers defeated LIU Brooklyn and Central Connecticut in the first weekend of conference play before falling at Wagner Thursday.
Koreem Ozier is averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game in seven games played, while Sean Hoehn has added 17.3. E.J. Anosike (8.1) and Jare'l Spellman (7.8) rank second and third in the conference in rebounding, while Spellman leads the NEC in blocks per game (2.6).
THE SERIES
Bryant is 6-15 against Sacred Heart in the Division I era and 14-23 all-time. Four of the last eight meetings between the teams have gone to overtime.
The Bulldogs and Pioneers split the season series a year ago with the road team winning both matchups. Adam Grant (Franklin, Va.) scored 26 points and SaBastian Townes (Chesapeake, Va.) added 21 in a 79-74 victory in Fairfield last January.
LAST TIME OUT: BRYANT 66, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 59
Junior SaBastian Townes and freshman Joe Kasperzyk (New Haven, Conn.) scored 21 points each to lead the Bulldogs to their second win ever at Knott Arena Thursday night. Townes added a career-high 11 rebounds, while Kasperzyk's 21 points were a career-high.
BASH BOARDS = VICTORIES
Junior SaBastian Townes collected his third double-double of the year in the win over Mount St. Mary's. The Bulldogs are 3-0 when Townes grabs 10 or more rebounds, picking up victories over Saint Peter's, New Hampshire and Mount St. Mary's.
ORDERING A LIFT
Freshman Joe Kasperzyk has provided a spark in the six games in which he has come off the bench, averaging 15.7 points per game. Kasperzyk scored a career-high 21 points Thursday at Mount St. Mary's and 19 in the win over Dartmouth.
BASH GETS BUCKETS
Junior SaBastian Townes is averaging 24.4 points per game in his last five contests against mid-major competition. Townes has scored 20+ points in four of those games, including a career-high 34 against Hartford.
THE DEFENSE DOES NOT REST
Bryant has limited its opponents to 68.6 points per game over its last five contests, highlighted by a season-best 59 in Thursday's win over Mount St. Mary's.
TRUST THE PROGRESS
The Bulldogs are one of three teams nationally, joining Pitt and Northwestern State, to have improved on last year's win total and matched their conference win total from last season by Jan. 10. With a victory Saturday, the Bulldogs will double their total wins from a year ago.
UP NEXT: ROBERT MORRIS
Bryant will have a rare Thursday off before returning to the Chace Athletic Center for its next four games, beginning with a 4 p.m. contest against Robert Morris, Saturday, Jan. 19.
Season and single-game tickets for home games at the Chace Athletic Center are available by clicking HERE or calling (401) 319-TIXX.
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