SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Seven players finished in double figures and three recorded double-doubles as the Bryant men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a 105-63 victory over Dean on Monday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Black and Gold are back at the Chace on Friday night when they host Siena and first-year head coach Gerry McNamara. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.

Rafael Pinzon led Bryant with 17 points and 10 rebounds for his first-career double-double, while Keyshawn Mitchell (11p, 12r) and birthday boy Earl Timberlake (14p, 10r) also finished with double-doubles. Barry Evans (14p, 4r, 5a), Connor Withers (12p, 5r, 4a, 3s, 2b), Kvonn Cramer (10p) and Kam Farris (11p) all finished in double figures.

Game Information
Bryant 105, Dean 63
Records: Bryant 1-0 | Dean 0-1
Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
Attendance: 1054

Key Moments

• Bryant pulled away from Dean as it closed the first half on a 29-10 run.

How it Happened

• Dean stayed with the Bulldogs for the eight minutes of the game, taking an early lead (10-7) on a deep three from Frankie Idlett.
• Withers responded with his first of two threes on the night and Bryant never trailed again.
• Another three from Idlett cut Bryant's lead to two (20-18) with 11:21 left but the Bulldogs closed the half on a 29-10 run.
• Withers started the run with another three and Cramer made a big splash in his return as he threw down a thunderous one-handed slam off an alley-oop from Pinzon.
• In the second half, Bryant pulled away thanks to a series of slams from Withers, Devean Williams and Evans.
• Williams' two-handed flush came off a long alley-oop from Mitchell.
• Frankie Vassalluzzo and Michael Amador provided the late excitement as each recorded their first collegiate points. Vassalluzzo hit a running floater from the baseline, while Amador canned a pair of free throws.

Stats

• Bryant finished the game 40-of-72 (55.6 percent) from the field, 7-of-23 (30.4 percent) from three and 18-of-23 (78.3 percent) from the line.
• Bryant held a 52-28 advantage in rebounds.
• The Bulldogs collected 26 assists, nine steals and seven blocks.
• Pinzon led seven Bryant players in double figures with 17 on 6-of-15 shooting. He added 10 rebounds and four assists, posting his first-career double-double.
• Mitchell also recorded his first-career double-double, posting 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
• Timberlake celebrated his birthday with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes.
• Evans collected 14 points (5-of-10), four rebounds and five assists.
• Withers posted 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
• Cramer notched 10 points (4-of-4), two boards, two assists, two blocks and two steals in his return to the court.
• Farris picked up 11 points.

Game Notes

• Bryant and Dean were meeting for the first time in program history.
• Pinzon recorded his 30^th career double-digit scoring effort.
• Pinzon also recorded his first-career double-double.
• Timberlake notched his 48^th career double-digit scoring effort and his 21^st career double-double.
• Mitchell picked up his first-career double-double with career highs in points (11) and rebounds (12).
• Withers finished in double figures for the 38^th time in his collegiate career.
• Evans' five assists were one shy of his career high.
• Evans, Farris, Jakai Robinson, Williams, Jayden Brown, Vassalluzzo and Amador all made their Bryant debuts on Monday.
• Josh Ozabor sank his first-career three-point field goal.

Up Next
Bryant returns to the Chace on Friday night as it hosts Siena. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.