GAME NOTES
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University men's basketball team opens the home portion of its 2014-15 schedule Thursday night against the University of New Hampshire. The home opener tips off at 7:00 p.m. from the Chace Athletic Center and can be seen live on NECFrontRow.com.
THE SERIES
This is the third meeting in three seasons between the Bulldogs and the Wildcats, with Bryant winning both previous matchups. Bryant won by 12 at home in the series opener, 76-64, back in 2012 but earned just a five-point win last season, 60-55, in Durham, N.H.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
UNH comes to Smithfield with a 1-1 record on the young 2014-15 season, having lost on the road at Boston College, 58-50, in the season opener before blasting DIII Thomas College, 84-36, in its own home opener Tuesday night. So far this season, the Wildcats are led by Tanner Leissner (12.0 ppg) and Jaleen Smithf (11.5 ppg), while Iba Camara (7.5 rpg) has paced the team on the glass from off the bench. Leissner scored a team-leading 17 points in the opener against the Eagles, going 5-for-9 from the floor including a 2-for-3 mark from long distance, while Smith's 14 points came off 4-for-10 shooting (2-6 from 3-point range). Daniel Dion (8p), Ronnel Jordan (2p) and Leissner all pulled in six boards in the outing, as UNH outrebounded BC, 39-35. The Wildcats shot 30.6 percent in the contest but are shooting at a .402 clip for the year after their lopsided victory Tuesday.
CURRENT BULLDOGS vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE
Eight Bulldogs have experience against the Wildcats over the last two seasons, with senior guard Dyami Starks finding the most success against UNH, averaging 18.0 points per game in a pair of outings. Starks is 11-of-29 (.379) from the floor when facing off against Thursday's visitors, also posting seven trifectas and a perfect 7-for-7 mark from the line. In total, returning Bulldogs are 16-for-44 (.364) from the field in tilts against UNH.
BRYANT vs. THE AMERICA EAST
Thursday's home opener marks the first of back-to-back contests against members of the America East for the Bulldogs. Bryant enters the game 4-3 against the conference at the Division I level and 14-11 against current America East Conference members since the 2000-01 season, including an 8-8 mark against America East newcomer UMass Lowell. In total, Bryant has met up with America East members Binghamton (1-1), New Hampshire (2-0), Vermont (1-0) and Albany (0-2) since joining the Division I ranks in 2008-09.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs next return to the hardwood for a Wednesday night pre-Thanksgiving matchup on the road against yet another America East opponent, the University of Vermont. The contests against the Catamounts tips off at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live on WOON 1240 AM or at bryantbulldogs.com.
BULLDOGS BATTLE REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPS WIRE TO WIRE
Facing off against the reigning national champions didn't scare the Bulldogs last Friday in the 2014-15 season opener at Gampel Pavilion, as the Bulldogs proved they were right where they belonged against No. 17/15 UConn. Bryant used an 18-0 first-half run to turn an 11-point deficit into a seven-point lead with six minutes left in the frame to take control of the contest and carry a 34-28 lead into intermission. The Bulldogs fought hard after the break, maintaining the lead until the 12-minute mark of the second stanza before the defending national champs rallied for a 66-53 win. Senior guard Dyami Starks — the NEC's leading returning scorer from a year ago — paced Bryant with 18 points and added six boards, while sophomore Dan Garvin added 10 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks.
ROOKIE LOOKS
A number of Bulldog newcomers got solid looks in the Friday's season opener against the Huskies, none more so than rookie forward starter Gus Riley. The 6-foot-8 New Zealand native got the start in his collegiate debut, playing an impressive 34 minutes while racking up nine points with three rebounds and two assists. Riley went 4-for-6 from the floor. Friday's contest also saw the collegiate debut of frosh guard Hunter Ware, who went 2-for-6 from the floor for four points, a steal and an assist in 16 minutes of action, while redshirt-junior guard Zach Chionuma made his Bryant debut after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules (Boston University). Chionuma went 1-for-4 in 12 minutes.
THE GRIND CONTINUES
Bryant's schedule doesn't get much easier after the opener against the reigning national champion Huskies, as the Bulldogs will face off against opponents from eight different conferences (ACC, American, America East, Ivy League, MAC, Patriot League, Summit League and Northeast Conference) in 2014-15. The 29-game slate features 13 home contests and includes three games against 2014 NCAA tournament qualifiers and three against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the AP and USA Today national polls.
TICKET TO RIDE
Single-game and season ticket packages are available for the 2014-15 Bryant University men's and women's basketball seasons. Tickets can be purchased online at bryantbulldogs.com/tickets or by calling the Bryant Athletics Ticket Office at 401-319-TIXX.
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME?
Bryant University Athletics and the Northeast Conference have partnered with Pack Network to create NEC Front Row, the home for all NEC men's and women's basketball broadcasts. NEC Front Row brings viewers an industry-leading video streaming solution for more than 100 Bryant University home contests during the 2014-15 athletic seasons, including live, free-of-charge, high-definition broadcasts of all Bulldog home men's basketball games. Live event productions include multiple camera angles, an on-screen scoreboard, state-of-the-art graphics and brand-new DVR functionality. Visit
necfrontrow.com for more information and a schedule of events.
BRYANT HOOPS ON WOON RADIO
For the seventh season, all Bryant University basketball home games and select road contests can be heard LIVE on WOON 1240 AM. Veteran sportscaster Jon Wallach of 98.5 FM The Sports Hub Boston returns to call the action as the voice of the Bulldogs, alongside color analyst Tristan Hobbes.
