Bryant opens season Monday night vs Manhattan

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's basketball team opens the 2023-24 season on Monday night when it hosts Manhattan at the Chace Athletic Center. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.

Monday's opener is the second half of a women's and men's doubleheader. The women host Dartmouth at 5:00 p.m. 

The Particulars
Opponent: Manhattan
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Date and Time: Monday, Nov. 6 - 7:32 PM EST 
Live Stats: BryantBulldogs.com
Watch: ESPN+
Game Notes: Bryant | Manhattan
Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram | #AEMBB

THE SERIES
Bryant and Manhattan are meeting for the second-straight year and for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs earned a hard-fought 104-97 overtime victory last December in the Bronx behind standout performances from its Washington, D.C. trio. Sherif Gross-Bullock, Earl Timberlake and Antwan Walker combined for 63 points, 24 rebounds and seven assists. Timberlake tied the game with 13 seconds left and finished with 23 points and 10 boards.

GROSS-BULLOCK, TIMBERLAKE RECOGNIZED
Sherif Gross-Bullock and Earl Timberlake were named to the Preseason America East All-Conference team in October. Gross-Bullock led the AE in scoring last year with 17.1 ppg, while Timberlake averaged 13.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg. 

WELCOME TO SMITHFIELD
Bryant welcomes several new faces to Smithfield this winter. Rafael Pinzon, Daniel Rivera and Connor Withers come in as transfers, while Aaron Davis, Keyshawn Mitchell, Greg Cantwell and Jason Arukhe are all true freshmen. 

FIVE MORE THINGS TO KNOW

1. Bryant is opening its season at home against a Division I opponent for the first time since 2019 when it opened against Brown. 
2. The Bulldogs return six of their top eight leading scorers from a season ago. That list is headlined by SGB and Timberlake, and also includes Kvonn Cramer, Tyler Brelsford, Doug Edert and Miles Latimer. 
3. Phil Martelli Jr. will serve as the acting head coach on Monday night against Manhattan. In the 2020-21 season, Martelli coached the Bulldogs to a road win at New Hampshire.     
4. Connor Withers had strong four-year career at UMass Lowell totaling 657 points, 396 rebounds, 148 assists, 73 blocks, and 84 steals.
5. Rafael Pinzon comes to the Bulldogs from St. John's and represented his home country of Puerto Rico this summer on the international stage.                             

Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, X and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.