Providence Journal: Bryant buzzer beater kills Long Island’s comeback bid

  Bryant buzzer beater kills Long Island's comeback bid

BY ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

SMITHFIELD - Embarrassed by its recent loss to previously winless New Jersey Tech, Bryant took out its frustration on Long Island yesterday, winning in the final seconds, 57-55. The victory also avenged a 15-point loss to the Blackbirds earlier this season.

"This is huge," Bryant's leading scorer, Cecil Gresham (18 points, 4 rebounds), said. "After us losing to NJIT, we were all over the news, on the Today show, SportsCenter, so this is huge, getting this win. If we lost this game, I don't know what would happen."

The victory wasn't easy. The game wasn't decided until the final buzzer.

Long Island overcame a 17-point halftime deficit and tied the game at 55-55 with 19 seconds left when Ron Manigault (10 points, 12 rebounds) hauled in an offensive rebound and put it back up for two. He was fouled on the shot and he sank the free throw to stun the home crowd.

Bryant called a timeout with eight seconds left to draw up the game-winning shot. With everyone in the building thinking the ball was going to Gresham, Bryant pulled out a surprise.

"I just said, ‘Get Adam Parzych the ball,' " Gresham said he told his teammates during the timeout. "They weren't expecting him to get the ball. He doesn't get a lot of playing time but he is always ready to play every game."

Read more from Rob Lee on Bryant's dramatic win here:  http://www.projo.com/sports/content/sp_bkc_bryant_25_01-25-09_JAD31S3_v13.3d55f66.html