March 15, 2008 - 7:04 pm

NCAA GAME DAY NOTES ...

WALTHAM, Mass. - It's game time.  Tune in and catch the Bulldogs in action tonight as they are ready to tip off with C.W. Post at 8:30 pm. 

WATCH ALL OF THE ACTION LIVE

LIVE STATS

BENTLEY WITHSTANDS STRONG START BY MERRIMACK TO ADVANCE 81-68
* Merrimack came out of the gates red-hot, shooting better than 70 percent for much of the first half in  racing out to a 48-36 lead at the half, but the Falcons stayed calm and held on down the stretch for an 81-68 win. 

SECOND ONE GOES EXTRA BUT ASSUMPTION WINS GOING AWAY
* Holy Family raced out to a 32-14 lead in the first half but couldn't hold on as Assumption clawed its way back to earn a 74-66 overtime win to advance to the NCAA second round. The Greyhounds, which got 22 points from Corey Diethorn and 21 from Courtland Bluford, will face Saint Rose in the first Sunday semifinal.  Holy Family was led by scoring sensation Michael Sturns' game-high 28 points while Ryan Lancaster added 22 for the Tigers who finish the season 21-10. 

FIRST ONE NEEDS FOUR OVERTIMES -
#3 Saint Rose def. #6 Philadelphia 85-75 (4 OT)

* In the opening game of the day, Philadelphia and Saint Rose are in their third overtime.  Tied 52-52, Saint Rose worked the ball up court in just 2.1 seconds and got off a good look but Jermaine Clark's baseline heave rimmed out. In the first extra period, Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year Steve D'Agostino nailed a three at the start, but Philadelphia came back quick with two buckets to take the lead, 56-55.  Jason Hickenbottom fouled out of the game midway through the overtime.  Philadelphia had chance to break a 57-57 deadlock but Mike Yocum's attempt with the shot clock winding down came up short.  Working the ball for the final shot, Clark's three at the buzzer was long.  The Golden Knights and Rams battled on into a third overtime with Saint Rose going up 73-71 with a minute to go. But Philly would battle back to tie it at 73-73.   Philly couldn't get off a good shot, so we go to a fourth overtime.  In the fourth, Philadelphia would simply run out of gas, and bodies, as several fouled out as the Golden Knights prevailed.  

* The No. 5 seed is the second-highest for the Bulldogs in the NCAAs.  Bryant was the No. 3 seed in the last two tournaments.  The Bulldogs were the No. 6 seed in 2005, winning the regional title.

* Early birds to night owls:  This is the first time Bryant has played in the 8:30 pm slot in the opening round. Bryant has kicked off the 2005, 2006 and 2007 regionals with winning the noon contest in each of the past three tournaments. In 2004, Bryant played in the second game as the No. 7 seed, defeating then ... No. 2 CW Post. 

* Bryant held a walkthrough at the Dana Center Friday afternoon before heading to the tournament banquet at Bentley's La Cava Center.  Photo highlights of each of the eight regional participants opened the banquet along with remarks from regional chair Gerry Oswald.

* The Bulldogs spent the night getting plenty of rest though most were tuned to ESPN and the Big East semifinal game between Marquette and Pitt.  The team woke up Saturday, enjoyed a big breakfast at the hotel before heading off for a 25-minute shoot-around at the Dana Center.

* This year marks the final regional championship for the Bulldogs who will begin the move to Division I next season.  "I really like the coaches in this league and in this region," remarked Bryant coach Max Good who has led Bryant to five-straight trips to the NCAA.  Bryant will begin a four-year move to Division I status and will play a full Division I schedule beginning in 2008-09. The school has been accepted into the Northeast Conference which will send Mount Saint Mary's to the Division I championship after winning the NEC crown over Sacred Heart earlier this week.

* This marks the third regional trip to Waltham, MA for the Bulldogs. Bryant first NCAA regional under coach Good came in Lowell, MA in 2004 where Bryant fell in the finals at the buzzer to host Lowell.  In 2005, Bryant defeated Bentley in the regional final played in Waltham, MA.  In 2006, the Bulldogs fell to Lowell in the first round played at Stonehill College.  In 2007, Bryant fell to Bentley in another regional championship game played at Bentley.

* By the numbers: Check out the coaching victories by the head coaches of the 2008 NCAA Regional.

855      Herb Magee (Philadelphia), 41 years  
489      Brian Beaury (Saint Rose), 22^nd year
406      Bert Hamel (Merrimack), 28^th year
334      Jay Lawson (Bentley), 17^th year
322      Serge DiBari (Assumption), 7^th year
240      Max Good (Bryant), 16^th year
90        Alfred Johnson (Holy Family), 5^th year
45        Tim Cluess (CW Post), 2^nd year

2781 total wins combined - 138 years combined coaching

*