Rivera's big night lifts Bryant over Siena, 67-51

ALBANY – Daniel Rivera posted 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and six blocks to pace the Bryant University men's basketball team to a 67-51 victory over Siena on Wednesday night at MVP Arena.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 6-4 overall and have won three-straight games. Bryant continues its road trip on Saturday at Stony Brook.

On a night in which both teams struggled from the field, Rivera shined. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding seven rebounds, three assists and a career-high six blocks. Sherif Gross-Bullock (14), Earl Timberlake (12) and Rafael Pinzon (10) each finished in double figures.

Bryant's defense was the story on Wednesday, holding Siena to 19-of-70 (27.1 percent) from the floor and 1-of-17 (5.9 percent) from beyond the arc. The 51 points are the fewest allowed by the Bulldogs this season. Bryant also set a DI program record with 13 blocks.

Game Information
Bryant 67, Siena 51
Records: Bryant 6-4 | Siena 2-7
Location: MVP Arena (Albany, N.Y.)
Attendance: 4,300

Key Moments

• Bryant held Siena to pair of long scoreless stretches at the beginning of the first and second halfs to build a big lead.

How it Happened

• Bryant was able to jump out to an 8-3 lead as it held Siena without a field goal for the first 7:10 (0-of-11). In total, the Bulldogs held Siena to 2-of-14 shooting over the first nine minutes.
• Rivera posted a pair of strong finishes inside to get Bryant going early.
• Connor Withers gave life to a stagnant Bryant offense with a three from the top, making it 11-5 at the under-12 media.
• Bryant endured a scoreless stretch of its own, going nearly four minutes without a field goal. That stretch allowed Siena to move within two, 11-9.
• The Black and Gold, however, were able to turn defense into offense to stop the stretch. Timberlake blocked a shot at the rim and Doug Edert found a streaking Rivera on the other end for a two-handed slam.
• Timberlake sparked another transition basket as he blocked a shot, ran the floor and then finished through contact off a dish from Rivera to give Bryant a 15-9 at the under-8 media.
• The Black and Gold were able to build a 10-point lead on a Gross-Bullock three from the corner but Siena answered, making it a five-point game at the half as Zek Tekin made his first basket of the half, a three from the top, with 38.8 seconds left in the first half.
• Bryant would hold Siena to a 7-of-34 clip in the half but shot just 11-of-30 at the other end.
• The Black and Gold would open a 14-point lead at the under-16 media of the second half, outscoring Siena 10-1 to start.
• Rivera was a key part, finishing a pair of offensive putbacks.
• Bryant would start the second half 9-of-14 from the field, while holding Siena to 1-of-14 start from the field.
• The start helped Bryant open the half on a 20-3 run and build a 45-23 lead at the 11:14 mark.
• Bryant would close the door from there, outscoring Siena 38-22 in the second half.

Stats

• Bryant finished 27-of-60 (45.5 percent) from the field, 5-of-24 (20.8 percent) from three and 8-of-20 (40.0 percent) from the line.
• Siena held a 52-40 edge in rebounding. Siena finished with 19 offensive rebounds.
• The Bulldogs blocked 13 shots.
• Bryant turned 15 Siena turnovers into a 22-8 advantage in scoring on turnovers.
• Bryant also held a 42-32 advantage in scoring in the paint.
• Rivera finished with 20 points (8-of-14 FG), seven rebounds, four assists and six blocks.    
• Gross-Bullock added 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks. He was 5-of-11 from the field.
• Timberlake finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
• Pinzon added 10 points, three rebounds and three steals.
• Withers finished with six points and eight boards.
• Edert posted five points, four rebounds and two assists.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 1-2 against Siena. Wednesday was the first meeting in Albany between the two teams.
• Bryant set a DI program record with 13 blocks. The previous record of 12 had stood since December 3, 2009 at LIU Brooklyn.
• Rivera set a career-high with six blocks. He's the first Bulldog with six or more since Hall Elisias blocked eight in the 2022 NEC Championship.
• Rivera's 20 points tied his career high. He has two 20-point games this season.
• Rivera is just the 19^th player since 2010-11 to post 20+ pts, 7+ reb, 4+ ast and 6+ blk in the same game.
• Gross-Bullock scored in double figures for the ninth time this year and the 55^th time in his career.
• Timberlake finished in double figures for the seventh time this year and the 34^th time in his career.
• Timberlake has now blocked nine shots over the last two games.
• Pinzon finished in double figures for the eighth time this season and the 15^th time in his career.

Up Next
Bryant heads to Long Island on Saturday to face CAA foe Stony Brook. Tip is set for 6:31 p.m.