Box Score DURHAM, N.H.– Connor Withers tallied a season high 27 points while Barry Evans and Rafael Pinzon each had 18 as the Bryant men's basketball team outpaced the New Hampshire Wildcats, winning 95-76 on Thursday night in Durham.
With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 11-9 overall and 5-0 in the America East. Thursday's win secured Bryant's second straight 5-0 start to conference play. Bryant returns to the court on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 25) when they return home to take on Binghamton.
Bryant would shine on defense against UNH posting 10 blocks and seven steals. The Bulldogs would also be perfect from the free throw finishing 12-12. It would be the first time since February 18, 2016 vs Sacred Heart in which Bryant had finished 100% from the charity stripe when taking a minimum of ten free throws.
Withers led all scorers on Thursday with, with 27 points, and posting his highest point total against a DI opponent since he dropped 32 against Stony Brook on 12/9/23. Withers would go 9-14 from the field and also had seven rebounds, five assists, and a block . Barry Evans (7-13 FG) and Rafael Pinzon (9-19 FG) each finished with 18 points for Bryant. Evans would also have eight rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Pinzon would add on five, boards, five assists, and a steal.
Game Information
Bryant 95, New Hampshire 76
Records: Bryant 11-9, 5-0 | New Hampshire 4-17, 2-4
Location: Lundholm Gymnasium (Durham, N.H.)
Attendance: 331
Key Moments
- The Bulldogs posted 10 blocks and held UNH to zero
- Connor Withers finished 6-9 from three point range.
How it Happened
- Connor Withers would knock down a pair of threes in the opening minutes, giving Bryant a 10-4 start.
- Despite being a heavy three point shooting team, UNH would find their success from inside the arc to start play. Sami Pissis and Khalil Badru would each knock down low jumpers and would tie things up at ten.
- Kvonn Cramer would break the tie after sinking a three pointer from the low corner.
- Bryant would also display excellent defense at the start of the contest. Barry Evans would post three blocks in the first 8 minutes of play and Connor Withers would have a rejection of his own.
- The Wildcats would take their first lead of the day after Anthony McComb hit a pull up jumper from just outside the key.
- After evening the score at 17 a piece, the Bulldogs would go on an 11-3 run which featured a pair of baskets from Withers and an Evans three.
- Jakai Robinson would fight down low in the paint and earn an and one at the under four media.
- Withers would knock down his third three of the night following a relay review.
- With time expiring Barry Evans would pick the pocket of New Hampshire's Sami Pissis and go coast to coast, finishing with a dunk.
- The Bulldogs would head into the locker room at halftime leading 41-30. Connor Withers would lead all scorers with 13 points.
- The Black and Gold would also out blocked UNH 8-0 in the first 20 minutes.
- Evans would find nylon first for Bulldogs coming out of the break; hitting a three 23 seconds into the second half.
- Evans and Withers would stay true from beyond the arc, helping extend Bryant's lead.
- Rafael Pinzon knocked down a low floater and sank a turn around jumper from the right elbow to get going in the second half. Pinzon entered the second half with 10 points.
- Timberlake would fight and spin low in the post to draw a foul just past the 11 minute mark. He would knock down the free throw to put Bryant up by 19.
- Pinzon would feed Withers for his 6th three of the night with 6:32 to go.
- Withers would then assist Kvonn Cramer with a bounce pass off of a pick and pop. Cramer would take flight and throw down a monstrous dunk.
- Aaron Davis would check into the game late and pick up four points.
Stats
- Bryant finished the game 36-of-73 (49.3 percent) from the field, 11-of-28 (39.3 percent) from three and was a perfect 12-of-12 (100.0 percent) from the charity stripe.
- Bryant held a 42-35 edge on the glass.
- The Bulldogs posted 18 assists, seven steals and had six turnovers.
- The Black and Gold would finish with 10 blocks against the Wildcats. New Hampshire would tally a block in the contest
- Withers led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, 6-of-10 from three, and 3-3 from the line. He also had seven boards, five assists and a block.
- Barry Evans poured in 18 points and was a force on defense, finishing with eight boards, three blocks, and three steals.
- Rafael Pinzon tallied 18 points on 9-19 shooting. He would also add five rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
- Connor Withers posted 15 points and hit five three pointers against his former team. He would also have eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks on Saturday.
- Kvonn Cramer finished with nine points and a block. He would also go a perfect 4-4 from the line.
- Earl Timberlake finished with eight points on 3-9 shooting and posted three blocks.
- Jakai Robinson finished with seven points, three steals, and a block.
- Bryant had three players finish in double figures for the 8th time this season. They improve to 3-5 in those contests.
Game Notes
- Bryant improves to 11-5 all-time against UNH.
- The Bulldogs now have a winning record on the road against the Wildcats, they are now 5-4 all-time.
- Bryant is now 5-6 on the road this season.
- The Black and Gold are 5-0 in league play for the second straight year.
- Withers posts his 2nd 20+ scoring game of the season and the 6th of his career.
- Withers finished in double figures for the 10th time this year and the 47th time in his career.
- Evans would finish in double figures for the 17th time this year and the 19th time in his career.
- Pinzon finished in double figures for the 15th time this year and the 44th time in his career.
- Timberlake recorded 4+ assists for the 12th time this year.
- Bryant tallies double-digit rejections for the second straight game and the third time this season.
Up Next
Bryant returns home to host the Binghamton Bearcats on Saturday (Jan. 25) at the Chace Athletic Center. Tip is set for 2:00 p.m.
