Merrimack Snaps Men's Basketball Win Streak With a 77-67 Win Over the Bulldogs Tuesday

SMITHFIELD, RI – Kent Leahy scored 20 points and Bruno Zanotti scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Merrimack College snapped Bryant’s six-game win streak with a 77-67 win Tuesday night. 

With the loss, the Bulldogs will drop to the No. 6 seed of the upcoming Northeast-10 Conference tournament and will host a first round game this Saturday.  The Bulldogs will face American International College starting at 2 pm at the Chace Athletic Center.

Bryant (19-8, 14-8 NE-10), struggled all night from the floor, shooting just 38.5 percent for the game and going just 10 for 33 from three-point range.  John Williams had a game-high 24 points plus six steals to lead the Bulldogs.

Merrimack (14-13, 12-10 NE-10), led 37-30 at the half and led 52-40 early before the Bulldogs would go on an 8-0 run to pull to within 52-48 as Chris Burns drained back-to-back threes to key the spurt.  Bryant would take a 56-54 lead moments later on another Burns three, but Zanotti would drain a three from the top of the key and Leahy would score on a fast break after taking a pass from Bobby Murgo (7 assists) and Merrimack led 72-63.

Burns would finish with 17 points and made five 3-pointers in the game while Jon Ezeokoli would add 8 points and 8 rebounds. Bryant was out-rebounded 40 to 29 in the game as the Bulldogs attempted 33 three-pointers and 32 two-point field goals.