Bryant Men Reach 7-0 In America East Play After Road Win at UMBC

Opening statement from Coach Phil Martelli following today’s win over UMBC pic.twitter.com/xYqKULVmPJ

— Bryant Men’s Basketball (@BryantHoops) January 31, 2025

Bryant University Press Release

BALTIMORE– Earl Timberlake and Connor Withers recorded double-doubles while Rafael Pinzon finished with 18 points as the Bryant Bulldogs fought for a gritty road win against UMBC; winning by a final score of 92-86 on Thursday night.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 13-9 overall and 7-0 in the America East. Thursday’s win gives Bryant their best start to conference play since transitioning to Division I. Bryant returns to the court on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1) continuing their road trip with NJIT.
 
The Bulldogs and Retrievers battled back and forth for the entire game. With UMBC holding an 81-80 lead with just over four minutes to play, the Black and Gold would go on a 12-5 run to close out the night. Pinzon would have seven of Bryant’s 12 points in that final stretch.
 
Pinzon and Withers were tied for the team lead in points with 18 on Thursday. Withers (7-14) posted his first double-double of the season, adding 12 rebounds to his statline along with six assists and three steals. He also hit four three pointers. Pinzon (6-19) added four assists, two boards, and a steal.

Earl Timberlake (7-15) recorded his 8th double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He also had five assists, two rejections, and a steal. Timberlake has 28 double-doubles in his career.
 
Game Information
Bryant 92, UMBC 86
Records: Bryant 13-9, 7-0 | UMBC 11-11, 3-4
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena (Baltimore, Md.)
Attendance: 3,089

Key Moments

• Withers (18 pts, 12 reb) and Timberlake (16 pts, 12 reb) each had double-doubles.
• Aaron Davis scores a career high 13 points.
• Five players finish in double-figures.

How it Happened

• Bryant would strike quickly off the opening tip as Connor Withers would locate Earl Timberlake in the low post for a two handed slam.
• UMBC showcased efficient offense out of the gate, Marlon Short had four points in the first five minutes and Louie Jordan hit a three pointer to give the Retrievers a 12-10 lead at the first media timeout.
• The Retrievers remained  hot out of the break, they would go on a 9-2 and force a Bryant timeout.
• Aaron Davis provided an early spark for the Black and Gold off the bench. He had finished contested layups on consecutive possessions and helped narrow Bryant’s deficit to three.
• Connor Withers got on the board by way of a three pointer after working away from contested coverage in the corner.
• Rafael Pinzon created space with a hop-step and swished a mid-range jumper from the top of the key to help Bryant tie the score at 27.
• Pinzon would knock down two more jumpers beginning a 13-4 run for the Black and Gold. Withers drilled his second three of the game during that stretch.
• Earl TImberlake got into double-figures for the 18th time this season after tricking a defender with an up-fake jumper and finished at the rim.
• Timberlake expanded his range, drilling a three pointer from the top of the key.
• UMBC’s Mark Banks Jr. drilled a pullup three as the clock was winding down in the first half.
• Bryant would go into the locker room at half leading 47-40. Earl Timberlake and Connor Wither both tallied double-figures in the first 20 minutes.
• Withers came out of halftime on fire. He drained a pair of threes in under a minute and forced an early Retrievers timeout.
• Banks Jr. would score five of eight straight points for the Retrievers, who would manage to tie the score at 63.
• Aaron Davis provided a necessary boost for Bryant by nailing a three pointer, matching Banks Jr. from the prior possession.
• Ace Valentine found a lane and snuck past the blocking arm of Aaron Davis for a layup to give the Retrievers the lead. Bryant would counter with a Keyshawn Mitchell layup to keep the score tied.
• Marlon Short got a reverse layup to fall putting UMBC back in front.
• Pinzon nailed an off-balanced three pointer coming off a Kvonn Cramer to put Bryant in front 83-81.
• Pinzon expanded Bryant’s lead following a pull up jumper in the corner with just over three minutes to play.
• UMBC brought the score to with in two thanks to a layup from banks and a pair of free throws from Short.
• Despite mishandling the ball under the basket, Cramer would collect himself and throw down a one handed dunk.
• UMBC’s Josh Odunowo would hit 1-2 free throws making it a four point game with 34.6 to play.
• Bryant would hold on and win by a final score of 92-86.

Stats

• Bryant finished the game 37-of-76 (48.7 percent) from the field, 9-of-30 (30.0 percent) from three and 9-of-15 (60.0 percent) from the free throw line.
• Bryant held a 44-33 edge on the glass.
• The Bulldogs posted 19 assists, six steals and had nine turnovers.
• Pinzon and Withers were tied for the team lead in points with 18 on Thursday. Withers posted a double-double adding 12 rebounds to his statline along with six assists and three steals. Pinzon added four assists, two boards, and a steal.
• Earl Timberlake recorded his 8th double-double of the season, tallying 16 points, and 12 rebounds. He also had five assists, two blocks, and a steal.
• Aaron Davis had a career day for the Bulldogs, finishing with 13 points on 5-10 shooting and 3-7 from three.
• Jakai Robinson finished with 12 points on 6-9 shooting. He also had six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
• Bryant had five players finish in double figures for the 7th time this season. They are a perfect 7-0 in those games.

Game Notes

• Bryant improves to 3-3 all-time against UMBC. They have won their last three matchups.
• The Bulldogs improve to 6-6 on the road this season. The Bulldogs were 3-6 prior to conference play.
• The Black and Gold are off to their best start to conference play in Division I history, improving to 7-0 on Thursday.
• Pinzon finished in double figures for the 17th time this year and the 46th time in his career.
• Timberlake posted his 8th double-double of the year and the 28th of his career.
• Timberlake finishes in double-figures for the 18th time this season and the 71st in his career.
• Timberlake recorded his 8th double-figure rebound game of the season and the 38th of his career.
• Timberlake recorded 4+ assists for the 14th time this year.
• Withers recorded his first double-double of the season and the 3rd of his career.
• Withers finished in double figures for the 12th time this year and the 51st time in his career.
• Withers records his 2nd double-figure rebound game of the year and the 8th of his career.
• Withers ties his single-game career high for rebounds with 12 against the Retrievers.
• Jakai Robinson finishes in double-figures for 5th time in his career; all of which have been this season.
• Aaron Davis registers his first double-figure scoring game of his collegiate career.

Up Next
Bryant will continue its road trip and head to Newark, New Jersey to take on NJIT on Saturday, Feb. 1. Tip is set for 2:00 p.m.