Defense clamps down, Bryant picks off first-place Merrimack

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Redshirt-junior Hall Elisias (Valley Stream, N.Y.) scored a career-high 15 points and the Bulldog defense locked down Merrimack in the second half as the Bryant University men's basketball team knocked off the first-place team in the Northeast Conference in a 61-52 victory Tuesday night.

Senior Juan Cardenas (Apartado, Colombia) and freshman Michael Green III (Bronx, N.Y.) combined for 26 points with 13 each. Cardenas contributed a career-high 15 rebounds as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Warriors, 41-26. Bryant's 13^th win of the year is good for its most victories since 2014-15.

GAME INFORMATION 
Bryant 61, Merrimack 52
Records: Bryant (13-14, 5-9 NEC), Merrimack (18-10, 12-3 NEC)
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)

KEY MOMENTS 

• Cardenas blocked a Merrimack shot off the backboard with 12:33 left in the game, leading to a putback layup on the other end and giving the Bulldogs the momentum they needed to complete a 14-0 run.
• The Bulldogs defense held Merrimack to just 10 points in the final 16:05 of the game to secure the nine-point victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Freshman Charles Pride (Syracuse, N.Y.) found Elisias on a baseline cut for a two-handed slam to kick off the game's scoring in the opening minute.
• The Bulldogs trailed for a majority of the first half, which ended in a deep three-point buzzer beater from senior Adam Grant (Franklin, Va.) to trim the deficit to 29-28 at the break.
• Merrimack opened the second half on a 9-0 run to prompt a Bryant timeout two minutes into the period.
• Bryant trailed 42-32 before a 14-0 run put the home team in front for good.
• Green and Elisias combined for 12 points in the final 10 minutes to help Bryant secure the victory. 

STATS 

• Elisias was 6-for-7 from the field, 3-for-3 from the line, and added seven rebounds and three blocks.
• Cardenas' first-career double-double was earned with an 8-for-8 showing at the free-throw line along with his second game of 10 or more rebounds in his last four contests. The senior added three blocks.
• Green was 4-for-9 from the field and matched his career-high with six rebounds while adding two steals.
• Pride collected five rebounds and a pivotal steal late in the second half.
• Bryant shot 47.5% compared to Merrimack's 32.8% from the field.

GAME NOTES 

• Bryant improves to 1-1 against Merrimack in the Division I era and 20-34 all-time.
• The Bulldogs' 13 wins in 2019-20 are good for fourth in Bryant's D1 history and are the most since a 16-15 season in 2014-15.
• Bryant held Merrimack to just 52 points, the fewest points allowed since the 60-45 victory over Navy on December 2, 2019.
• Cardenas passed Papa Lo for third in Bryant's D1 era in blocks with 64.

UP NEXT 
Bryant makes a one-game trip to Brooklyn for a Friday night battle with St. Francis Brooklyn. The 7:30 p.m. tip can be seen on NEC Front Row.

Tickets for Sunday's Senior Day showdown against Sacred Heart are available by clicking HERE.  

Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.