Bryant squares off with CCSU Saturday in New Britain
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - The Bryant University men's basketball team looks to open February with a victory when the Bulldogs travel to New Britain for a Saturday afternoon contest at Central Connecticut.
The Particulars
Opponent: Central Connecticut
Location: Detrick Gymnasium – New Britain, Conn.
Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row (Bruce Biel, Marc Robbins)
Live Stats: Presto Stats
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #12Seven4 | #NECMBB
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
Central Connecticut is 9-13 overall and 3-6 in NEC play after Thursday's victory over St. Francis Brooklyn. The Blue Devils' other NEC wins have come against Fairleigh Dickinson and Mount St. Mary's.
Tyler Kohl leads the Blue Devils in scoring (17.4), rebounding (7.0) and assists (4.7). CCSU has converted on 77.3 percent of its free throw attempts this season, a mark good for the top 20 in the country.
THE SERIES
Bryant is 11-9 against CCSU in the Division I era and 17-16 all-time. The Bulldogs are 4-5 at Detrick Gymnasium since making the move to Division I.
The teams are meeting for the second time in 10 days with Bryant looking for a regular season sweep for the fifth time in seven seasons. The Bulldogs defeated the Blue Devils 63-60 Jan. 24 in Smithfield, as junior SaBastian Townes (Chesapeake, Va.) drained the go-ahead three-pointer with 7.4 seconds remaining and junior Juan Cardenas (Medellin, Colombia) came up with the block at the buzzer.
LAST TIME OUT: BRYANT 71, WAGNER 64
Bryant held Wagner to 14 points over the first 15 minutes of the second half to guide the Bulldogs to their first win on Staten Island since 2014-15. Junior SaBastian Townes scored 23 points to lead the Bryant offense.
SPEED LIMIT 70
Bryant is 8-0 this season when it holds its opponents under 70 points. The Bulldogs are 7-2 when they keep the game under 70 total possessions.
OH, WE'RE HALFWAY THERE
Bryant's 5-4 record at the midpoint of NEC play is its best since opening the 2014-15 season 6-3 in league games.
NOT BASHFUL FROM BEYOND THE ARC
Junior SaBastian Townes is 19-for-43 (.442) from three this year including game-winners against Dartmouth and Central Connecticut. Townes made a combined four three-pointers in his first two seasons.
Townes is 11-for-24 (.459) on three-pointers in NEC play, a percentage good for third in the conference.
THAT'S GONNA BE A NO FROM THIS DAWG
Junior Juan Cardenas leads Bryant with 33 blocks on the year, good for second in the NEC. Cardenas ranks sixth in Bryant's Division I era in career blocks through just 19 games played.
THURSDAYS ARE MUST-SEE
Bryant has won its first four Thursday games of the year, defeating St. Francis Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary's, Central Connecticut and Wagner.
UP NEXT: ROBERT MORRIS
Bryant is back on the road next weekend for the NEC's Pennsylvania trip. The Bulldogs will first face Robert Morris Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Colonials' North Athletic Center.
Tickets for home games at the Chace Athletic Center are available by clicking HERE or calling (401) 319-TIXX. Bryant is back home Thursday, Feb. 14, when the Bulldogs host Sacred Heart.
Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.