Bulldogs pull off dramatic comeback

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

GoLocalProv Sports Team

The Bulldogs continue to leave their fans on the edge of their seats.

Alex Francis’ finger roll at the buzzer Saturday capped another wild finish at the Chace Athletic Center and lifted Bryant University to a 62-60 win over conference rival Mount St. Mary’s.

Francis, who finished with a career-high 25 points, scooped up a loose ball at the top of the key with 2.4 seconds remaining and drove to the basket for the winning layup, giving the Bulldogs their fifth win in their last seven games.

Saturday’s dramatic finish marked the third consecutive game in which Bryant has hit a shot in the closing seconds to either win it or send the game to overtime. Last week, the Bulldogs lost back-to-back overtime games at home against Monmouth and Wagner, but tied each game at the end of regulation courtesy of a basket at the buzzer.

Bryant (7-15, 5-5 Northeast Conference) trailed by as many as 14 points and was behind by 13 with 9:08 remaining before closing the game on a 14-2 run to pull off the improbable victory.

Cecil Gresham finished with 21 points for Bryant. Gresham and Francis also had nine rebounds apiece. The Bulldogs won despite shooting just 35 percent from the floor. Francis hit 10 of his 13 field-goal attempts and also scored 14 of the team’s first 18 points.

Julian Norfleet led Mount St. Mary’s (7-16, 5-5 NEC) with 13 points. Bryant will return to action Thursday at Robert Morris.