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University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
1-2
Bryant University
1-1
Men's Basketball Roars Back in the Second Half But Falls Short Against Bryant, 72-63
11/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. –The University of New Hampshire men's basketball team outscored Bryant University 37-22 in the second half but fell short Thursday evening at Chace Athletic Center by a score of 72-63.
Five players for UNH hit double-figures including Frank Okeke (DeSoto, Texas) (13), Ronnel Jordan (San Antonio, Texas) (11), Daniel Dion (Cedar Park, Texas) (11), Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) (10) and Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) (10).
New Hampshire slips to 1-2 on the year while Bryant earned their first win of the season (1-1).
In addition to Dion's 11 points, he chipped in five rebounds, six assists and two steals. Smith was not far behind Dion adding eight rebounds to lead the team, tallied three assists, one block and one steal.
In the game, Jordan was 4-for-9 from the field, 2-for-3 from the three-point line and was perfect from the line.
Bryant's Dynami Starks paved the way for the Bulldogs by putting up 19 points and six rebounds, as he was 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
Bryant came out roaring as the Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to start the game. Dan Garvin posted five of those points in the first two minutes of the game.
Okeke got the 'Cats on the board with a three-pointer of his own at 14:14 to stop the run.
Leissner went to the line for the second time in the game at 8:21 making both of his free throws to cut the deficit 25-10. Moments later, senior Tommy McDonnell (Durham, N.H.) posted a lay up to make it a 25-12 game.
At the half, Bryant was up by a large margin, 50-26. Dion led the way for UNH with eight points, three rebounds and one assist. Okeke followed with seven points and one assist. The Wildcats were 4-for-7 (57.1%) beyond the arc.
Dion nailed a three-pointer to make it a 50-29 game to kick off the second half. Dion was four-for-seven from beyond the arc in the game. Leissner then buried a three as the Widlcats went on a 6-0 run with 18:29 left in the second stanza.
Jordan tallied his second straight bucket of the night at 10:37 to make it a 60-47 game. Minutes later, Jordan answered with another one of his buckets beyond the arc at 9:09 left to play in the game. At 8:14 the 'Cats made a comeback, 60-52, down by 12. The Wildcats offense came alive in the second stanza.
Smith stole the ball on an inbound pass at 8:10 showing on the clock to cut it 60-54.
By this point, UNH had put up 31 points compared to Bryant's 10 in the second half.
UNH came back to be down one, 60-59, by the hands of Smith who nailed a layup with 6:42 left in the game.
The first lead of the night for New Hampshire occurred at 6:20 as Smith posted his 10th point of the game to go up 61-60.
A foul was called on Bryant and UNH got possession back with 3:44 remaining in the game. Okeke had a chance to get the close again but missed a layup.
With 2:45 showing on the clock Starks came through with a shot of his own, a jumper, to give the home team a 68-61 edge.
In a 45 second span the Wildcats had several chances to get on the board very quickly but were not able to sink a shot until Leissner put on in until the 2:06 minute mark.
After the bucket, the 'Cats were unable to put up any more points to have a fighting chance of tying the game up.
With the buzzer going off the Bulldogs came away with their first win of the season in their home opener.
Up next, UNH takes on Boston University in non-conference play on Tuesday, Nov. 25 (7 p.m.) at Lundholm Gymnasium.
