Bryant grabs first win, downs Fisher on Wednesday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sherif Gross-Bullock scored 27 points to lead six doube-figure scorers as the Bryant University men's basketball team earned its first victory under acting head coach Phil Martelli Jr. on Wednesday, 140-79 over Fisher.

With the win, the Black and Gold improve to 1-1 on the season as they prepare to face Rutgers on Sunday in Piscataway.

Gross-Bullock finished 10-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three to pace the Bryant offense. Earl Timberlake finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Daniel Rivera (20), Tyler Brelsford (18), Rafael Pinzon (15) and Doug Edert (11) all finished in double figures.

Game Information
Bryant 124, Fisher 72
Records: Bryant 1-1 | Fisher 1-3
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Attendance:

Key Moments

• Bryant shot 58 percent from the field in the first half to pull away.

How it Happened

• Gross-Bullock was locked in the first 20 for the Black and Gold, netting 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and a 4-of-5 showing from three.
• Fisher stayed in the game, however, swishing 9-of-16 from beyond the arc.
• The Falcons held a pair of two-point leads early in the half before Gross-Bullock hit back-to-back threes to break a 19-19 tie.
• Rivera (12) and Timberlake (10) would also finish with double-figures in the first 20.
• Brelsford helped pace the Bulldogs to a 32-11 start in the second half. He scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the half, hitting a pair of threes.
• Bryant finished by shooting 62.5 percent from the field and 57 percent from three in the second half, outscoring Fisher, 76-31.

Stats

• Bryant finished the game 52-of-82 (63.4 percent) from the field, 17-of-34 (50.0 percent) from three and 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) from the line.
• Bryant held a 57-36 edge in rebounding.
• Bryant blocked nine shots in the game.
• Gross-Bullock posted 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three. He also posted five boards and four assists.
• Timberlake finished two assists shy of a triple double, totaling 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
• Rivera added 20 points and five rebounds.
• Brelsford scored 10 of his 18 points in the second half, finishing 6-of-8 from the field.
• Pinzon added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Edert scored all 11 of his points in the second half.
• Connor Withers added five points and nine boards.
• Todd Rochelle, Aaron Davis and John Shannon came on late to combine for 20 points.  

Game Notes

• Bryant has now won both meetings with Fisher, an NAIA member.
• Phil Martelli Jr. earned his first victory as the acting head coach of the Bulldogs.
• Gross-Bullock posted his 15^th career 20-point game. He has scored in double-figures 48 times in his career.
• Timberlake reached double figures for the 28^th time in his career. He posted his 10^th career double-double.
• Rivera finished in double-figures for the second-straight game to start his Bryant career.
• Rafael Pinzon celebrated his birthday on Wednesday. He finished with 15 points for his eighth-career double-digit performance.
• Brelsford has now scored in double figures three-straight games dating back to last year. He is averaging 15.3 ppg in those three games.
• Aaron Davis and Keyshawn Mitchell scored their first Bryant points in the game. Davis posted nine, while Mitchell had three points and five boards.

Up Next
Bryant heads on the road for the first time this season when it travels to New Jersey to face Rutgers on Sunday. Tip is set for 12:00 p.m.