Bryant Basketball: Bulldogs punch ticket to 2022 NCAA Tournament

Bryant Basketball defeated the Wagner Seahawks 70-43 in the Northeast title game Tuesday night. The victory marks the Bulldogs’ fifth tournament championship but, their first trip to the Divison I NCAA tournament.

From the get-go, Bryant Basketball was ahead and dominating throughout the entirety of the game. It was the Peter Kiss show at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island; the nation’s leading scorer posted 34 points and shot 56.5 percent from the field.

Bulldogs guard Charles Pride also impressed ending with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and shot 50 percent from three-point range.

Kiss entered the matchup with a chip on his shoulder as many believed he deserved this season’s player of the year honor. He battled toe-to-toe with the two-time Northeast conference player of the year Alex Morales from Wagner on both ends of the hardwood.

The tension between both sides didn’t just occur on the court but, in the stands. With 4:37 remaining in the second half, a fight broke out which resulted in the Wagner fans being ushered out of the arena by security and an about a thirty-minute delay to the game. Bryant Director of Athletics Bill Smith informed the Bulldog fans that they will be allowed to rush the court after Wagner has left the court.

Bryant’s defense stepped up allowing Morales to just three points all from the charity stripe in 35 minutes played on the floor.

The Seahawks found most of their points from Redshirt senior Raekwon Rogers who finished with 12 points and shot 75 percent.

Coach Grasso and the Bulldogs can be satisfied with their performance as they kiss the Seahawks goodbye and punch their ticket to the big dance for the first time since joining the Divison I level.

The NEC regular season and tournament champions will be watching closely this Sunday when they find out who their opponent is in the first round of the NCAA tournament.