McConnell's 18 leads Robert Morris past Bryant 68-54 (Dec 29, 2017)
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.
