Bulldogs tripped up by FDU, 78-63

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior SaBastian Townes (Chesapeake, Va.) scored a team-high 18 points and freshman Joe Kasperzyk (New Haven, Conn.) added 15, but Fairleigh Dickinson used a first-half run to create separation and get by the Bryant University men's basketball team, 78-63, Saturday at the Chace Athletic Center.

GAME INFORMATION
Fairleigh Dickinson 78, Bryant 63
Records: Bryant (7-12, 4-4 NEC), Fairleigh Dickinson (9-11, 4-4 NEC)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

COACH GRASSO'S COMMENTS
"With two and a half minutes left in the second half, we had held them to 26 points in the half. I was happy with our defensive effort, but we just couldn't make a shot to get over the hump. Adam Grant had three three-pointers that were in and out, Bash had one that was in and out … it's hard when you can't put the ball in the basket. You can only string stops together for so long; eventually the ball has to go in. Obviously we didn't shoot the ball well today." 

"I'm not overly caught up in our record; I'm a culture guy. I'm really happy with where our culture's at. I see guys walking into the gym right now to get shots up. Our guys are working really hard. We've practiced hard. Our guys have worked hard. I'm seeing improvement. I love the way our culture's heading in, and because of the process and how hard we work, results will follow."

KEY MOMENT

• Fairleigh Dickinson used a 19-2 run to build a 31-14 advantage with 5:32 remaining in the first half.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With the game tied at 12, the Knights scored the next nine points to go ahead 21-12 with 10:22 remaining in the half.
• A Kasperzyk layup broke up the FDU run, but the Knights went on to score the next 10 to push the lead to 31-14 with 5:32 to go before halftime.
• Bryant rattled off eight straight points to pull within 33-24 with 3:20 left in the half.
• Threes from Townes and junior Adam Grant (Franklin, Va.) cut the FDU lead to 43-35 with 17:01 to go.
• After an FDU three-pointer pushed the Knights' lead to 55-39 with 9:28 remaining, Bryant scored the next six to get back within 10.
• Townes knocked down four straight free throws to pull Bryant within 65-57 with 2:31 to play.
• The teams traded free throws before the Knights responded with the next five points to extend their lead to 72-59, closing out the game at the free throw line.

STATS

• Townes was 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-4 from three and 6-of-9 from the free throw line for 18 points.
• Kasperzyk scored 15 points, matched his career-high with eight rebounds and dished out four assists.
• Redshirt-senior Byron Hawkins (Fort Washington, Md.) added 13 points and tallied five assists, his highest total in a Bryant uniform.
• Junior Juan Cardenas (Medellin, Colombia) recorded two blocks, giving him 30 for the season.
• Bryant shot 35.8 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three, while Fairleigh Dickinson shot 46.3 percent overall.
• The Knights outrebounded the Bulldogs, 38-32.

GAME NOTES

• Grant moved within 51 points of Frankie Dobbs for third in Bryant's Division I era in scoring.
• Bryant drops to 8-10 all-time against Fairleigh Dickinson.
• The Bulldogs fall to 0-4 in Saturday NEC games. Bryant is 4-0 in weeknight NEC games.

UP NEXT
Bryant plays five of its next six games on the road, beginning with a Thursday night game at Wagner. The 7 p.m. tip on Staten Island can be seen on ESPN+.

Tickets for home games at the Chace Athletic Center are available by clicking HERE or calling (401) 319-TIXX.

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