Bulldogs Take It To Maryland But Terrapins Come Out On Top 100-85

November 5, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Bryant men’s basketball team ventured into ACC territory and took it to the Maryland Terrapins, taking a 48-46 lead into the half and pushing Maryland to the brink with under five minute remaining before falling 100-85 in an exhibition game here Friday.

The Bulldogs trailed 85-77 with five minutes remaining but a three-point play by Bryant’s Mike Williams inside helped cut the Maryland lead to six at 86-80 with 4:47 left. Maryland though would pull out the win down the stretch behind solid free throw shooting. The Terrapins, made 35 of 48 free throws while the Bulldogs attempted only 18.

In the first half, it was all Bryant as the Bulldogs silenced the Comcast Center crowd with brilliant shooting from the outside led by John Williams’ game-high 27 points. The Bulldogs made 12 first half three-point shots as Williams made five 3-point field goals and made 9 of 24 from the field.

The Bulldogs led 3-0 on a Williams three-pointer from the top of the key and led 6-1 on a three from Dan Hammond from the left side. Hammond would follow with another trey from almost in the same spot to make it 9-1 Bryant and the Bulldogs were off and running.

The Bulldogs led by as much as 27-18 before Maryland would rally to tie the game at 30-30. Following a Nik Caner-Medley (12 points) bucket to give Maryland its first lead of the night 32-30 with 6:54 remaining before halftime.

Bryant would answer and take the lead right back as Cullen McCarthy drained a long three from the right side to put Bryant back on top 34-33.

With the fouls in Maryland's favor 12-3, the Bulldogs took advantage of a missed free throw by Ekende Ibekwe as Chris Burns pushed the ball downcourt with under five seconds remaining and missed a running jumper but John Fogarty was there to put in the rebound just before the buzzer to make it 48-46 Bryant.

Burns and McCarthy each had eleven points while Dan Hammond added ten for the game.

Maryland, thanks to the play of Travis Garrison (20 points) and center Ikene Ibekwe (19 points, 9 rebounds), controlled the Bulldogs inside, outrebounding Bryant 43 to 33 for the game.

Bryant will travel to defending national champion Connecticut next Thursday for an exhibition game at the Hartford Civic Center.