Kent County Times

The sixth-seeded Bryant University men's basketball team faces third-seeded New Hampshire in the Jersey Mike's Men's #AEHoops Playoffs on Saturday afternoon in Durham. Tip is set for 1:02 p.m.

Bryant will be playing in the America East Playoffs for the first time in program history and will be serving as the No. 6 seed for the first time in a postseason tournament. Saturday's winner will advance to the semifinals on Tuesday, March 7. 

The ParticularsOpponent: New HampshireLocation: Lundholm Gymnasium (Durham, N.H.)Date and Time: Saturday, Mar. 4 - 1:02 PM EST Live Stats: SidearmWatch: ESPN+Game Notes: Bryant | New HampshireSocial Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #12Seven4 | #AEMBB

THE SERIESBryant won both regular season meetings against New Hampshire and owns an 8-4 lead in the all-time series. The Bulldogs have won each of the last four overall. In the first meeting, Sherif Gross-Bullock scored 28 points and the Bulldogs were able to shake the Wildcats late, making all of their final eight free throws in an 87-81 win. In Smithfield, Bryant trailed by one at the half but opened the second half on a 22-2 run to earn a 70-46 victory.

WELCOME TO THE AMERICA EAST PLAYOFFSBryant will be competing in the America East Playoffs for the first time in program history. Bryant competed in eight NEC Tournaments, advancing to the NEC Championship in each of the last two years. The Bulldogs have served as the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 7 and No. 8 seed in eight previous tournament appearances. They will be playing as the No. 6 seed for the first time.

SGB ENDS YEAR AS LEAGUE'S LEADING SCORERSherif Gross-Bullock wrapped up the America East regular season scoring crown, finishing with 17.6 ppg. He has produced 11 20-point games, tied for the most in the league, and averaged 18.9 ppg in AE-only games.

EASY OEarl Timberlake closed the regular season with his team-leading ninth double-double of the year at Maine. He posted 20 points and 10 rebounds and enters the America East Playoffs ninth in the league in scoring and third in rebounding.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO KNOW

1. Bryant will be looking to win a conference championship in consecutive years but in different conferences. The Bulldogs have played for an NCAA Tournament berth each of the last two seasons.
2. Earl Timberlake ranks 9th in the America East in scoring and third in rebounding entering Saturday. He posted a 13p-10r double-double against the Wildcats the last time out.
3. Charles Pride currently ranks fifth in the league in scoring with 14.6 ppg. Pride sits alone in the first place with 144 career steals following a pair of thefts on Tuesday.    
4. Antwan Walker and Sherif Gross-Bullock both reached 1,000 career points on Tuesday at Maine. It marked the first time in DI program history that two players have achieved the feat in the same game.
5. Walker averaged 19.5 ppg in two games vs UNH this season. He made 16-of-22 (.727) from the field and 5-of-7 (.714) from three.                            

Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.

Original source can be found here.