Williams nearing 1,000 points for career
December 7, 2004
SMITHFIELD, RI - He's played in 99 games in a Bryant University men's basketball uniform but senior center Mike Williams needs only 34 points to become the 28th member of the 1,000-point club at Bryant. Williams and the Bulldogs will entertain Northeast-10 Conference foe Stonehill College this Saturday starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Chace Athletic Center.
Mike Williams
A native of Ellington, Conn., Williams already owns all of Bryant's blocked shots records, including a career record of 231. Since first stepping onto campus, Williams made an immediate impact for then coach Ed Reilly. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound center started in all but one game and averaged 7.2 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. In addition, he shattered the season block record with 70.
In 2001, Williams went down with an injury in practice and did not return after seeing time in only five games. Granted a medical redshirt, Williams returned in 2002 with a vengence, scoring 13.0, improving his rebound average to 8.6, and blocked a new school record 90 shots.
Following Sunday's game, the Bulldogs will hit the road for a two-game road trip to NJIT on Dec. 18 and Holy Family Dec. 20.
Weekly Notes ------
UPDATE
The Bryant men’s basketball team will host the Chieftains of Stonehill (4-2, 1-2) this Sunday (3:30 p.m. tip-off) at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, R.I. The Bulldogs (2-2, 2-2 NE-10) snapped a two-game losing skid on Saturday with an 82-55 win over visiting Southern Connecticut. The game will be broadcast live online at www.BryantBulldogs.com. This will be the first of two meetings between both schools as the Bulldogs and Chieftains will meet once more in Easton, Mass. on Jan. 8. Last year, Bryant defeated Stonehill on the road 72-60 in the third game of the ‘03-04 season.
BULLDOG UPDATE
Bryant comes into Sunday’s game shooting 46.5 percent from the floor and have made 37 of 85 three-point attempts (43.5 percent). Junior guard John Williams is averaging 21.0 points per game (third in the conference) and has made 16 of Bryant’s 37 three’s. He had a career-high 33 points last Wednesday at Pace and has made 11 three-point field goals in the past two games (7 at Pace). Mike Williams has 10 blocks this season, accounting for half of that total with five Saturday against Southern Connecticut. Opponents this season have out-rebounded the Bulldogs by an average of 37 to 34 this season. Bryant will travel to NJIT on Dec. 18 for a 2 p.m. game.
STONEHILL CHIEFTAINS
Under the direction of coach David McLaughlin, the Chieftains enter Sunday’s game with a 4-2 overall record and 1-2 mark in the Northeast-10. Stonehill, led by Evan Pellerin’s 18.5 ppg, come into the game averaging 79.7 ppg and have made 40 three-point field goals. Pellerin, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound center, is shooting 64.7 percent from the floor (44-for-68) and averages 8.7 rebounds per game. Marquis Taylor is second with 15.2 ppg average while Dezmond Morgan is not far behind with 15.2 ppg. Cranston, Rhode Island native and Cranston East High School graduate Soap Toun has played in all six games for the Chieftains, scoring 14 points (2.3 ppg) in 30 minutes (5.0 mpg). He has made 4 of 11 field goal attempts - all of which are three-point field goals.
LAST TIME OUT - Bryant 82, Southern Connecticut 55 (Sat., Dec. 4)
Bryant led 10-5 and used a 15-0 run to race out in front 25-5 and never looked back. Southern Connecticut was held with only two field goals in the first 11 minutes. John Williams had 21 points for Bryant while sophomore Nate Sudlow came off the bench to score a career-best 18 points. Mike Williams tallied five of Bryant’s six blocks in the game to go with his 14 points and seven rebounds.
BULLDOGS ADD HOLY FAMILY TO SCHEDULE
Following the cancellation of the D.C. tournament last week, Bryant will play at Holy Family on Dec. 20th at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs will look to add one more game to the schedule to make up for the cancelled games with UNC - Central and Belmont Abbey.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will travel to NJIT next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game and travel to Philadelphia on Monday to face Holy Family in a game added following the loss to two games in November at the University of D.C. tournament.
BULLDOG HOOPLA ALL SEASON LONG
The Bryant University Hoopla is now in its second season and has been expanded to include all home games this season. For only $7 ($50 for the season), fans can stop by the Bulldog room prior and during all home basketball games for food, drinks, and fellowship. There will be an occasional guest speaker plus the opportunity to visit with Bryant coaches and staff.
BULLDOG BITES
Bryant is coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982 ... Bryant’s Mike Williams needs 34 points to reach 1,000 for his career ... With 735 career rebounds, Mike Williams needs 22 boards to pass Dan Mazzula for third all-time in school history for career rebounds at 761 (Ernie DeWitt 1,036 and Jason Noel 868 are No. 1 and No.2) ... Sunday’s game with Stonehill will be the 93rd game coached by Max Good at Bryant. He needs one win for 50 at Bryant. It will also be Good’s 340th as a head coach in 13 seasons ... This will also be the 100th career game for Mike Williams in a Bryant uniform ... Sophomore guard Chris Burns suffered a facial fracture in the opener vs. AIC.
