SMITHFIELD, RI (Dec. 1, 2007) – Senior G Jon Ezeokoli (South Orange, NJ) scored a game-high 16 points as Bryant University defeated UMass Lowell, 70-52, Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s basketball clash at the Chace Athletic Center.

With the loss, UML slipped to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in the Conference entering Tuesday’s game at Merrimack (7:30). Bryant improved to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the Conference.

Sophomore G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) led the River Hawks with nine points while freshman F Connor Wetzel (Cincinnati, OH) added eight points.

Ezeokoli converted 6 of 11 field goals, including 4 of 7 from long range, and also added four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshman G Barry Latham (Taunton, MA) chipped in 14 points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.

UML committed 15 turnovers to Bryant’s nine, but the Bulldogs capitalized as it outscored UML 25-4 off turnovers. Bryant also outscored UML 33-12 from 3-point range and attacked early with a 23-4 run in the first half.

Junior G Peter Lambert (Cumberland, RI) converted three straight 3-point shots to lead the run while Ezeokoli and Latham each chipped in five points.

Bryant led 35-20 at the break and stretched its lead to 26 points (57-31) with 9:08 left to play on a 3-point shot by sophomore F Cecil Gresham (Bloomfield, CT).