McConnell's 18 Leads Robert Morris Past Bryant 68-54

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Matty McConnell scored 18 points and Robert Morris took over down the stretch to open Northeast Conference play with a 68-54 win over Bryant on Friday, the Bulldogs' ninth-straight loss.

Dachone Burke added 15 points and Jon Williams 13 for the Colonials (7-7).

Bosko Kostur's layup with 11:45 to play gave Bryant a 44-39 lead but from that point until a 3-pointer in the closing seconds the Bulldogs went 1 of 12 with six turnovers.

McConnell started and finished a 10-0 run and after two Bryant free throws, Koby Thomas capped a 6-0 run with a dunk that made it 54-46 for the Colonials with 6:10 left. It was an eight point game with just over two minutes left when Williams made six straight free throws to begin a 9-0 run.

Robert Morris made 16 of 17 free throws in the second half.

Sebastian Townes had 14 points for the Bulldogs (1-13), who shot just 33 percent, going 4 of 18 from 3-point range.

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