FRANCIS SCORES CAREER-HIGH 23 TO LEAD BRYANT PAST OBERLIN WEDNESDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant freshman Alex Francis (Harlem, N.Y.) scored a career-high 23 points and classmate Matthew Lee (Bloomfield, N.J.) chipped in 12 to help lead the Bulldogs to a 71-42 non-conference victory over Oberlin College Wednesday evening at the Chace Athletic Center.

Bryant (2-10) withstood a hot start by the visitors from Ohio, as the Yeomen (1-9) led by as many as seven early. But thanks in part to a suffocating defense and the play of Francis on the offensive end, the Bulldogs quickly regained the lead midway through the first half following a basket and free throw by Francis that put the Bulldogs up, 22-20, with 4:57 left. The freshman tied his career high in the first half alone with 19 opening-frame points.

The Bulldogs would close out the half on a 15-3 run to take a 34-23 lead into the locker room at the break.

But in the second session, the Bulldogs would put the visitors away early, as Daniel Calandrillo (Leonardo, N.J.) drained a long three and minutes later Lee knocked down a trey of his own after a nice feed from Frankie Dobbs (Berea, Ohio) to make it 45-25.

The Bulldogs shot 42.1 percent from the floor and made nine 3-point field goals in the game.   Calandrillo would finish with eight points and career-high four assists and two steals in 20 minutes of action. Dobbs had six of Bryant's 17 assists in the contest.

Oberlin was led by Andrew Fox's team-high 13 points and five rebounds, while Charlie Crawford-Silva had eight.

Bryant will return to action this Friday when Bulldogs travel to Brown University for the team's final non-conference matchup of the season.  Tip-off from the Pizzitola Center is set for noon.  The game will be broadcast live on WOON 1240 AM with Jon Wallach and Ben Simon calling the action.