Bryant tops NJIT with huge second-half comeback

NEWARK, N.J. – Earl Timberlake tied his career-high with 23 points and the Bryant University men's basketball team rallied from 17 down in the second half to defeat NJIT, 79-78, on Wednesday night at the Wellness and Events Center.

With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 17-10 overall and 8-6 in the America East. Bryant is now in a three-way tie for third place in the league standings with two games to play.

Bryant trailed 60-43 with 16:00 left and by 11 with 11:33 left before ripping off a 15-0 run to take a 73-69 lead with 5:11 left. Bryant then made free throws down the stretch to close it out.

Timberlake was the catalyst, finishing with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. He added seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a career-high 38 minutes. Charles Pride added 18 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Tyler Brelsford posted 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three.

Game Information
Bryant 79, NJIT 78
Records: Bryant 17-10, 8-6 AE | NJIT 7-20, 4-10 AE
Location: Wellness and Events Center (Newark, N.J.)
Attendance:

Key Moments

• Timberlake finished a runner in the lane to tie the game at 69-69 before Pride swished a turn-around jumper to give the Bulldogs the lead.

How it Happened

• Pride wasted little time joining an elite group of Bulldogs on Wednesday. He scored the first six Bryant points, becoming just the 11^th player in school history to score 1,500 career points.
• Timberlake would tie the game at 10-10 with a long-range jumper from the wing.
• NJIT went on a 9-2 run following the basket to take a 19-12 lead with 10:43 left.
• A deep three from Antwan Walker brought Bryant within four, 30-26, with 7:23 left.
• Back-to-back baskets from Kvonn Cramer, including a one-handed slam, made it a two-point game with 5:23 left.
• NJIT, however, closed the half on a 15-4 run to take a 50-37 lead into the break.
• The Highlanders were able to push the lead to 14 on a three-point play early in the second half.
• NJIT would take a 17-point lead, 60-43, on an Adam Hess three with 16:07 left.
• Bryant would finally get the game to single digits as Edert and Brelsford swished back-to-back threes to make it 66-58 with 12:08 left.
• After NJIT pushed the lead back to 11, Pride swished a corner three and ignited the Black and Gold.
• Bryant would score 15-straight points to take a 73-69 lead with 5:11 left.
• Timberlake tied the game with back-to-back buckets, making it 69-69 with 8:41 left.
• Pride then gave Bryant the lead, knocking down a turnaround jumper with 5:53 to go.
• Bryant would push its lead to six but the Highlanders got back-to-back baskets to make it a two-point game, 77-75, with 1:34 left.
• Timberlake and Pride each made 1-of-2 from the line to close the door.

Stats

• Bryant finished the game 34-of-66 (51.5 percent) from the field, 7-of-25 (28.0 percent) and 4-of-10 (40.0 percent) from the line.
• Bryant outrebounded NJIT, 43-29.
• The Black and Gold held a 46-38 lead in the paint.
• Timberlake scored 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. He had seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 38 minutes.
• Pride finished with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting. He added three rebounds and four assists.
• Brelsford went 4-of-8 from three to finish with 14 points. He added seven rebounds and four assists.
• Cramer posted eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
• Walker contributed seven points and seven rebounds.

Game Notes

• Bryant swept the season series from NJIT with the win.
• Pride now has 1,512 points and 730 rebounds in his career.
• Pride is just the 11^th player in program history to reach 1,500 career points.
• Pride finished in double-digits for the 22nd time this season and the 76^th time his career.
• Timberlake tied his career high with 23 points. The 10 made field goals are a career high.
• Brelsford set a season-high with 14 points and a career-high with four threes.

Up Next
Bryant returns home on Saturday afternoon to host Vermont on Senior Day. Tip is set for 4:02 p.m.