LOWELL, MA (Jan. 26, 2008) – Sophomore F Cecil Gresham (Bloomfield, CT) scored 17 points as Bryant University defeated UMass Lowell, 56-50, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball tilt at the Costello Athletic Center.

The loss halted a three-game win skein for the River Hawks, who slipped to 7-10 overall and 5-8 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday’s clash at Southern New Hampshire (7:30). The Bulldogs improved to 11-8 overall and 7-7 in the conference and host Saint Anselm Wednesday (7:30).

Sophomore C Ali Kanaan (Montreal, QUE) led the River Hawks with 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots while shooting 5 for 8 from the floor and 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) added 13 points, shooting 6 for 11 from the field.

Gresham converted 7 of 13 field goal attempts while senior G Jon Ezeokoli added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Sophomore G Chris Birrell (Scituate, MA) chipped in 10 points.

Bryant outscored UML from 3-point range 21-6 and 24-12 off turnovers. UML committed 20 turnovers opposed to Bryant’s 17. The Bulldogs also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds while UML had seven.

UML, however, shot .524 in the second half (11-21) opposed to Bryant’s .304 (7-23), which enabled it to battle back from a 34-22 deficit at the half.

The River Hawks trailed 36-22 in the first minutes of the second half, but outscored the Bulldogs 24-8 to snatch a 46-44 lead with 6:06 left to play. Gore scored nine points in the run while Kanaan added eight.

Bryant, however, used a 12-4 run to end the game behind four points from Ezeokoli (four free throws) and Birrell (layup, free throws) to seal the win. Trailing 46-44, the Bulldogs scored six straight points – a jumper by Gresham, free throws by Ezeokoli and a layup from Birrell to post a 50-46 lead.

A runner by senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) pulled UML with two (52-50), but free throws from Ezeokoli and freshman G Barry Latham (Taunton, MA) in the final 11 seconds kept UML at bay.