Brelsford, Hawkins spark Bryant win over Towson

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Tyler Brelsford and Chauncey Hawkins IV combined for 25 points off the bench as the Bryant University men's basketball team closed the non-conference portion of its season with a 69-59 victory over Towson on Thursday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs finished their non-conference schedule with a 9-4 record. The nine non-conference victories are the most at the Division I level. Bryant opens America East play on New Year's Eve against Binghamton.

Brelsford posted 13 points, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes, while Hawkins had 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in 20 minutes. Sherif Gross-Bullock led the Bulldogs with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the line, while Earl Timberlake (12 pts) was the fourth in double-figures. Charles Pride posted eight points and eight rebounds.

Game Information
Bryant 69, Towson 59
Records: Bryant 9-4 | Towson 8-5
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Attendance: 985

Key Moments

• Hawkins scored four consecutive points to turn a six-point Bryant lead into a 10-point edge, 25-15, with 9:23 to go in the first half.

How it Happened

• A Pride three and an Antwan Walker finish in the paint gave Bryant an early 7-3 lead.
• Hawkins' entrance into the game came with Bryant leading 11-10. Leading 13-10, Hawkins forced a turnover in the backcourt that led to a pair of Brelsford free throws. On the inbounds, Bryant's pressure forced another Towson turnover and Brelsford buried a three to make it 18-10.
• Moments later, Hawkins followed his own miss and then swiped the inbounds, scoring four points to push Bryant's lead to 10.
• Hawkins then fed Brelsford a three point basket to give the Black and Gold a 28-15 lead.
• Pride's second three of the half gave Bryant it's largest lead of the afternoon, 38-24, with 2:39 left.
• The Bulldogs would take a 38-26 lead into the break.
• Towson cut the deficit to seven early in the second half but a Brelsford steal led to a Hawkins finish at the other end to spark the Bulldogs.
• Brelsford's third three of the game made it 50-39 with 12:43 to play.
• The Tigers stayed close though, making it 50-44 with 9:39 left.
• Hawkins, however, drilled a triple from the top to stunt the Tiger run.
• The Tigers made another push and had the chance to pull within five but a pair of missed free throws kept the deficit at seven with 5:00 left.
• Hawkins and Gross-Bullock were then able to close the game out from the line.   

Stats

• Bryant finished 24-of-57 (42.1 percent) from the field, 7-of-26 (26.9 percent) from three and 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) from the line.
• The rebounds were even at 39-39.
• The Bulldogs held Towson to 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the field.
• Gross-Bullock led Bryant with 16 points. He was 8-of-10 from the line and didn't turn the ball over in 26 minutes.
• Brelsford posted 13 points (4-of-7), two assists and two steals.
• Hawkins had 12 points (4-of-7), three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
• Timberlake posted 12 points and six rebounds.
• Pride finished with eight points and eight boards.
• Walker posted seven points and seven boards before fouling out.    

Game Notes

• Bryant and Towson were meeting for the first time in program history.
• The Tigers were ranked No. 18 in this week's CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll. Bryant was receiving votes.
• Bryant's nine non-conference wins are a new program record at the Division I level.
• The Bulldogs are now 4-1 at home this season and 28-3 since the start of the 2020-21 season.
• Pride now has 1,301 points.
• Gross-Bullock has now scored in double figures in 12 of 13 games this season. It marks his 35^th-career double-digit effort.
• Timberlake scored in double-figures for the 11^th time this season.
• Hawkins posted a season-high 12 points in a season-high 20 minutes. He has scored 1,279 points in his career.
• Brelsford's 13 points tied his season high. His three made three-point baskets matched his career high.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will have eight days before they open America East play on Dec. 31 against Binghamton. Tip is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.