SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Barry Evans delivered an impressive performance with 19 points while Earl Timberlake contributed 17, propelling top-seeded Bryant to a dominant victory over No. 3 seed Maine, claiming the America East championship with a 77-59 win on Saturday. This triumph secures Bryant’s second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the first being in 2022 after clinching the Northeast Conference title.
Bryant established an 11-point lead by halftime and maintained their command in the first 11 minutes of the second half, outpacing Maine 23-13. Evans advanced the Bulldogs’ lead with a crucial 3-pointer, securing a 19-point advantage, followed by a layup that extended the score to 61-40 with nine minutes left in the game.
Although Bryant experienced a brief scoring drought, missing four shots and committing three turnovers, Timberlake reignited the offense with a crucial three-point play around the five-minute mark. An ensuing 3-pointer by Evans increased their lead to 67-50. A late 3-pointer from Connor Withers solidified the victory at 75-54 with just over a minute remaining.
Evans showcased his accuracy, hitting 8 of 11 shots, including a flawless 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, while also pulling down seven rebounds. Timberlake, recently honored as the America East Player of the Year, added to the Bulldogs’ effort with four rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks.
Rafael Pinzon contributed 13 points, and Keyshawn Mitchell added 12 to Bryant’s success, helping them attain a 23-11 season record. On the opposing side, AJ Lopez led the Black Bears with a 20-point performance, and Kellen Tynes added 10, as Maine concluded their season with a 20-14 record.
Throughout the first half, Bryant never relinquished their lead despite two ties, with the final tie at 8-8. Doubling down on their advantage, they gained a 20-16 lead before a series of plays by Mitchell and Evans extended it to 28-18. Timberlake further secured Bryant’s halftime lead with a jumper in the final seconds, sending the Bulldogs into the break leading 38-27.
This victory showcased Bryant’s prowess at home, improving their postseason homecourt record to 9-3 and setting the stage for their upcoming journey in the NCAA Tournament.
