Bryant holds off Mount St. Mary's 78-75

Feb 8, 2015, 06:27 pm

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Alex Francis scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Bryant in a 78-75 victory over mount St. Mary's on Saturday.

Bryant went into the break with a 34-33 advantage and Francis hit back-to-back layups early in the second period to cap a 16-6 run, extending the Bulldogs lead to 50-39.

Corey Maynard and Dyami Starks added 16 points each for the Bulldogs (16-9, 8-2 Northeast Conference). Joe O'Shea scored 10.

Down by 12 points midway through the second half, Rashad Whack -- who finished with 21 points for Mount St. Mary's -- hit three from beyond the arc within three minutes to help bring the Mountaineers to within two. But an O'Shea 3-pointer and a Starks layup in the final two minutes, kept the Bulldogs in the lead for the win.

Taylor Danaher had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Mountaineers (10-13, 6-4).