SMITHFIELD, R.I. – John Williams (Springfield, Mass.) scored 18 points including 11 of 12 free throws to help lead the Bryant men’s basketball team to a 78-67 win over American International here at the Chace Athletic Center Tuesday night. The Bulldogs led by as much as 64-52 with just over ten minutes remaining, but held off a late charge by the Yellow Jackets to pull out the win.
Held without a field goal in the final 4:24, Williams made all six free throw attempts to help seal the victory as the Bulldogs won their fifth-straight season opener to start the season 1-0. AIC, a winner over Dowling on Saturday, placed four players in double figures led by John Huggins’ (Philadelphia, Pa.) 15 points as the Yellow Jackets even their record to 1-1.
Bryant led 38-35 at the half and increased the lead to 60-48 on a three from Cullen McCarthy (Mansfield, Mass.) with 13:28 left, however AIC would go on a 16-4 run midway through the second half to pull to within 70-67 on a pair of free throws from Alonzo Brown (New York,NY).
Following a timeout by Bryant, the Bulldogs worked the ball into the post where Mike Williams (Ellington, Conn.) hit a turnaround jumper to give the Bulldogs a little breathing room at 72-67. McCarthy finished with 12 points, all from three point range as the senior forward was 4 for 8 from beyond the arc. Mike Williams (Ellington, Conn.) had 16 points and grabbed seven boards as the Bulldogs out-rebounded AIC 41-28 for the game. Mario Correia (Brockton, Mass.) added 11 points and seven rebounds for Bryant.
Bryant will host Saint Rose on Sunday with the women’s game set for 1:30 p.m. followed by the men at 3:30 p.m. in Smithfield, R.I.