Bryant defeats Lehigh in closing seconds, 70-68

Dec 30, 2013, 10:24 pm

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Alex Francis hit a second-chance layup with 2.1 seconds to play as Bryant defeated Lehigh 70-68 Monday night.

Corey Maynard scored a layup to give Bryant (8-7) a 67-66 lead with 1:12 remaining. Francis hit one of two free throws to stretch the Bulldog lead to 68-66 with 30 seconds remaining. Tim Kempton answered for Lehigh (7-6) with a jumper to tie the game at 68 with 18 seconds to play.

Maynard missed a layup before Francis' game-winning put-back. Lehigh's Mackey McKnight missed a 3-pointer as time expired.

Francis finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. It was the second time in two games that Bryant defeated Lehigh in the closing seconds.

Jesse Chuku hit a 3-pointer to give Lehigh the largest lead of the game, 38-33 with 16:05 to play. Neither team led by more than four points the rest of the way.