Bryant, Sacred Heart meet Saturday in NEC Semis

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The second-seeded Bryant University men's basketball team welcomes third-seeded Sacred Heart to the Chace Athletic Center on Saturday for the Northeast Conference Semifinals. Tip is set for 12:00 p.m.

Saturday will mark Bryant's seventh postseason appearance in nine seasons of eligibility. It will also be the Bulldogs' second appearance in the NEC Seminfinals.  

The Particulars
Opponent: Sacred Heart
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Saturday, Mar. 6 – 12 p.m. 
Watch: ESPN3 | Cox/Yurview New England | SNY | NBC Washington
Live Stats: Sidearm
Game Notes: Bryant
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #KEB1 | #NECMBB

THE SERIES
Sacred Heart owns a 19-6 lead in the Division I series between the two teams. The Pioneers have won five-straight overall and five-straight against the Bulldogs in Smithfield. Bryant's last win against the Pioneers at the Chace Athletic Center came on Mar. 4, 2015 in the NEC Quarterfinals.      

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart earned the No. 3 seed in the NEC Tournament by virtue of tiebreakers. The Pioneers and fourth-seeded Mount St. Mary's finished with identical 9-7 league marks this season. SHU is led by Tyler Thomas, the league's top scorer with 19.4 points per game. Aaron Clarke averages 13.6 per game for the Pioneers, one of the nation's youngest teams.     

WHAT TO KNOW

• Bryant enters the NEC Tournament at 14-5 overall and 10-4 in the NEC. The Bulldogs posted their best regular-season in DI program history. 
• Bryant is the No. 2 seed in the NEC Tournament for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs are playing in the NEC Tournament for the seventh time in nine years. 
• Saturday will be Bryant's second appearance in the NEC Semifinals. They advanced to the semis in 2015, falling on the road at Robert Morris.  
• Head coach Jared Grasso is in his third season on the Bryant sidelines, having posted a 39-42 record. He's led the Bulldogs to a 29-22 record the last two seasons.
• Peter Kiss leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 17.0 per game and was fourth in the NEC with 17.7 ppg in league games. Kiss has scored 20+ points on 10 occasions, including 7-of-14 games against NEC opponents. 
• Michael Green III ranks seventh in the NEC in scoring, sixth in assists and 11th in free throw percentage. 
• Charles Pride has been one of the most improved players in the NEC, entering the week averaging 12.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 2.6 apg.  
• Chris Childs is one of the nation's top three-point shooters, ranking 20th nationally in 3FG per game. He's made 5+ 3s in game four times.
• Hall Elisias ranks 17th nationally in blocks per game (2.5) and leads the NEC in field goal percentage (.645). 

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