Bryant University Bulldogs MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE TUESDAY NIGHT WITH LOSS IN REGIONAL FINAL

March 13, 2007

NCAA DIVISION II NORTHEAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

BRYANT'S SEASON ENDS WITH REGIONAL FINAL LOSS TO BENTLEY, 63-54

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WALTHAM, Mass. - Junior Jon Ezeokoli scored 13 points and sophomore Ryan McLean came off the bench to add 12 but it was not enough as the Bryant University men's basketball season came to an end Tuesday night with a 63-54 loss to top-seed Bentley College in the Northeast Regional Championship game. Bentley, led by all-tourney guard Lew Finnegan's 13 points, will move on to the Division II Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass. next weekend.

Senior Chris Burns concludes his spectacular career with 1,362 career points, 282 career three-point field goals including 113 this season. http://www.dspics.com/

For the Bulldogs, the game marked the final in the careers of seniors Chris Burns, Nate Sudlow, and Dan Hammond. The trio were part of more than 90 victories during their careers and helped lead Bryant to four consecutive NCAA tournaments and three Sweet Sixteen appearances in the last four years.

"I can't thank them (the seniors) enough for what they have given to the program," said coach Max Good following the game. "To participate in the Sweet Sixteen three of the last four years is really an unbelievable accomplishment."

Bryant (21-11), the No. 3 seed of the tournament, took an early 6-2 lead out of the gate, but six-straight points by the Falcons put the hosts in front 12-6. Forward Jeff Holmes helped keyed the run with back to back buckets in the paint.

With the Bulldogs trailing 21-10, Jon Ezeokoli drained a three from the top of the key and Hammond scored on a power move inside to get back to within six, 23-17.

Bentley (32-0), ranked second in the nation and holder of the longest winning streak by any basketball team in New England (any division), looked as if they were ready to run away with it. Scoring in quick bunches, the Falcons would push ahead for a 29-17 lead, but the Bulldogs wouldn't go away just yet.

Ezeokoli drained another trey from long distance and McLean followed up an Ezeokoli miss and scored on a putback to pull Bryant back to within five, 29-24. But Bryant could only watch as Finnegan and the Falcons went on another scoring run, this time a 10-2 spurt to close the half, taking a 39-26 lead into the locker room at the break, matching their largest lead of the game.

In the second half, the Bulldogs were able to stay within striking distance thanks to the solid play of McLean. McLean's third straight hoop, a soft jumper from just outside the free throw line, made it an eleven point game (53-42) with 7:24 left. But a Jason Westrol put-back from his own miss and fast-break basket after a block on the other end, put the Falcons back in front comfortably and Bentley would never look back.

McLean finished with six rebounds to go with three blocks off the bench. Bryant struggled from the field all night, shooting just 35 percent on 21 of 60 shooting and made only 6 of 22 three-point attempts.

Burns, who joined Ezeokoli on the all-tournament team, had six points in the game, all coming in the second half, while Hammond added seven points and Sudlow had four.

"We've won a lot of games," said Burns after the game. "There is a special bond with our team and with the seniors in this room. We've had a tremendous run and I am proud of being a member of this team."

Bentley shot 44.4 percent from the floor and got 11 points and five rebounds from Holmes while Westrol finished with 13 on five of 10 shooting.

POST GAME NOTES ...

* Bryant and Bentley met three times during the regular season with Bentley winning all three. Bentley leads the all-time series 49-29, but Bryant holds a slim 3-2 advantage in postseason game.

* The NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament team was named after the game with Bryant's Chris Burns and Jon Ezeokoli joining Bentley's Lew Finnegan, Nate Fritsch, and Saint Rose guard Steve Dagostino on the team.

* Bentley is now 32-0 overall, 18-0 at home at the Dana Center and ranked No. 2 in the nation. The 32 straight wins is the longest streak in New England men's basketball history, for any division. The 32 wins not only sets a Bentley school record but a Northeast-10 Conference record.

* Bentley will face defending national champion Winona State, the champion from the North Central Region at the Elite Eight which will take place next week (Mar. 21-24) in Springfield, Mass. Game time is at 8:15 p.m.

* Bryant is now 9-8 in six NCAA appearances and 9-4 under coach Max Good. The Bulldogs are 1-2 in Regional Championship games.

* With their 20^th win Saturday, Bryant has now recorded four-straight 20-win seasons. The win over Saint Rose Sunday was the 21^st of the year, matching last year's win total.