Bryant vs Bentley is Division II’s version of Duke v UNC. The two rival schools are only miles away and both specialize in Business. All Bryant vs Bentley games over the last couple years have been sold out, with each team’s fans going back and forth at each other.
The two teams have met in two of the last three NCAA tournaments. The Falcons have won six in a row against Bryant dating back to Bryant’s 88-78 double overtime win in the regular season in 2006 back in Smithfield, RI. Bryant and Bentley met in the 2005 regional final with Bryant winning 74-64 en route to a trip to the Elite Eight and National Championship game. Bentley won all four meetings last season including an NE-10 semifinal win and 85-74 victory in the NCAA Regional Championship game at the Dana Center.
Bentley is undefeated on the year but Bryant has challenged them this year, their last game came down to the final seconds
LAST MEETING WITH BENTLEY – Falcons 69, Bryant 68 (Waltham, MA – Feb. 2, 2008)
Bryant’s Cecil Gresham (Bloomfield, CT)drained a three-pointer with 7 seconds left to put the visiting Bulldogs ahead and on the verge of an upset of the top-ranked team. But Bentley had the answer once again as Yusuf Abdul-Ali, held to just 1 of 9 shooting and four turnovers by the Bulldog defense before Gresham’s shot, drove the lane on the Falcons’ ensuing possession and scored the game-winner off the glass as time expired to keep its perfect record intact. The game featured 13 lead changes and nine ties.Bryant fell behind 57-53 with a little over six minutes left, but managed to draw even at 65-65 with a minute to go. With a chance to take the lead, guard Chris Birrell (Scituate, RI)would miss a three-point attempt with 56 seconds left and Bentley’s Jason Westrol would answer with a drive in the lane to put the hosts up 67-65 with 25 seconds remaining on the Dana Center clock.
Following a timeout to draw up a play, Bryant would work the ball around the perimeter. With Bentley, over-playing Jon Ezeokoli (South Orange, NJ), Birrell found a wide open Gresham who drained a deep three from the right side to put the Bulldogs ahead, 69-68 with seven ticks on the clock only to see Ali come up with the game-winning drive.
Bryant trailed by only a point at the half, 32-31 taking a 13-9 in the early moments. Bentley would counter with a 14-2 run to race back out in front 23-15. Birrell would knock down a pair of trey’s before picking up his second foul with 3:09 left before halftime. Reserve Ray Witkos (Easthampton, MA)entered the game for Birrell and was fouled immediately attempting a three by Bentley’s Westrol. Witkos sank all three free throws to pull the Bulldogs even 26-26. Birrell had another fine game on both ends of the floor. The sophomore finished with 17 points and six assists in 36 minutes. Ezeokoli, who had 11 first half points, added 17 points while Gresham chipped in with 14 plus four boards. Bentley was led by Westrol’s 17 points while Lew Finnegan had 17.
Will Bryant be the New York Giants of D II basketball and spoil Bentley’s perfect season or will Bentley chalk up another win. Its the Bulldogs vs Falcons, throw out the records. The game is at 730 tonight and can be seen free at http://www.ne10.tv/
