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Bulldogs drop tight contest with Rutgers, 66-57
Posted: Nov 12, 2023

Bulldogs drop tight contest with Rutgers, 66-57

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Game Leaders
Bryant
Pts: Rafael Pinzon - 17
Reb: Sherif Gross-Bullock - 9
Ast: Earl Timberlake - 4
Rutgers
Pts: Hyatt,Aundre - 19
Reb: Omoruyi,Clifford - 15
Ast: Simpson,Derek - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rafael Pinzon scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the second half as the Bryant University men's basketball team put a scare into Rutgers before eventually falling, 66-57, on Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 1-2 on the season. Bryant is back in action on Thursday when it travles to Boston to face the Terriers.

Pinzon posted his best game in the Black and Gold, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field. Connor Withers (11) and Sherif Gross-Bullock (10) also finished in double figures.

Bryant's defense was stout on Sunday, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 31 percent (19-61) from the field and 18 percent (4-22) from three.

Game Information
Rutgers 66, Bryant 57
Records: Bryant 1-2 | Rutgers 2-1
Location: Jersey Mike's Arena (Piscataway, N.J.)
Attendance: 8,000

Key Moments

  • Bryant grabbed a 44-41 lead in the second half but Rutgers answered with an 8-0 run to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

How it Happened

  • It was a slow start offensively for both teams on Sunday, as they combined to start just 9-for-30.
  • The Scarlet Knights had the better of it early, grabbing a 9-4 lead.
  • Withers, however, erased the deficit with a three from the top and a finish at the rim off a perfect play design.
  • Rutgers would once again grab a lead but Withers soared for a rebound and tapped it home while being fouled. He would convert the traditional three-point play to make it 12-12.
  • The Scarlet Knights would again lead 16-12 before Miles Latimer finished at the shot clock horn and Pinzon finished a steal down the other end with 8:34 to go, spuring a Rutgers timeout.
  • Rutgers would keep small edge before pushing the lead to six, 29-23, on a three-point field goal from Gavin Griffiths with 1:27 left in the half. It was just the second three of the half for Rutgers.
  • Bryant would make it a four-point game at the half as Daniel Rivera finished a dish inside from Pinzon.
  • Pinzon would open the second half with a three from the wing to make it a one-point game, but the Scarlet Knights ripped off a 7-0 run to force a timeout with 18:00 left.
  • With Bryant trailing by five, Pinzon hit a jumper in the paint and then drilled a three from the top to tie the game at 41-41 with 13:23 left. Withers followed with a three of his own to give Bryant a 44-41 lead with 12:54 to go.
  • Rutgers would respond with the next eight points to take a 49-44 lead with 8:30 to go.
  • Pinzon would stop the run with a three from in front his bench to make it a two-point game (47-49) with 8:00 to play.
  • The Scarlet Knights pushed the lead to six with four consecutive free throws as the game went under the 4:00 mark.
  • Bryant wouldn't go away, cutting the deficit to two, 55-57, on consecutive transition baskets from Earl Timberlake and Rivera.
  • Rutgers, however, would get a tip in and convert two free throws to push it back to six, 55-61, with 1:31 to play.

Stats

  • Bryant finished the game 22-of-57 (38.6 percent) from the field, 6-of-21 (28.6 percent) from three and 7-of-11 (63.6 percent) from the line.
  • Rutgers held a 50-34 rebounding edge.
  • Bryant held Rutgers to just 31 percent from the field and 18 percent from three.
  • The Black and Gold picked up 12 steals.
  • Pinzon led Bryant with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He was 3-of-6 from three and added four boards and three assists.
  • Withers finished with 11 points and five boards. He was 4-of-7 from the field.
  • Gross-Bullock added 10 points and nine rebounds.
  • Earl Timberlake collected four points, six boards, four assists and three blocks.

Game Notes

  • Bryant and Rutgers were meeting for the fourth time in program history. Rutgers has won all four meetings.
  • Gross-Bullock scored in double-figures for the 49th time in his career.
  • Pinzon scored in double figures for the ninth time in his career.
  • Withers finished in double figures for the first time as a Bulldog and the 31st time in his career.
  • Bryant has held its first two DI opponents (Manhattan and Rutgers) to just 5-of-38 (13.2 percent) from three.

Up Next
 Bryant visits Boston University on Thursday night. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.