Reggie Lewis Tournament Most Oustanding Player Earl Timberlake posted 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks as the top-seeded Bryant men’s basketball team defeated third-seeded Maine, 79-59, to win the 2025 Jersy Mike’s America East Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday at the Chace Athletic Center. The Bulldogs claim their first-ever America East Championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in Division I program history. Bryant will learn its tournament seed and opponent on Sunday, March 16 during the Selection Show on CBS (6:00 p.m.). Bryant left no doubt on Saturday, claiming its 12 double-digit victory in 17 games against conference foes this season. Timberlake averaged 18.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.67 bpg and 2.0 spg in three tournament games. He was joined on the all-tournamen team by Barry Evans and Keyshawn Mitchell. On Saturday, Evans led four double-digit scorers with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He added seven rebounds, while Rafael Pinzon chipped in 13 points and Mitchell posted a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Connor Withers finished with seven points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Game Information No. 1 Bryant 79, No. 3 Maine 59 Records: Bryant 23-11 | Maine 20-14 Location: Chace Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.) Attendance: 1,700 Key Moments Bryant used a 16-5 run that spanned the end of the first and beginning of the second half to pull away from the Black Bears. How it Happened Bryant and Maine were tied 8-8 at the first media. Keyshawn Mitchell had a big putback block but a pair of turn around jumpers from AJ Lopez tied the game. Cramer then grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback for a three-point play out of the media timeout. The Bulldogs would push their lead to six, 20-14, as Evans finished a drive to the basket with 9:30 left. Bryant pushed its lead to 10, 28-18, with a flourish and forced a Maine timeout. Evans highlighted the quick spurt with a two-handed flush in transition. The Bulldogs then closed the half with a bang as Evans slammed home an alley-oop, Pinzon hit a turnaround and Timberlake hit a runner in the lane before the buzzer to make it 38-27 at the break. Bryant held a 25-9 lead on the glass in the first half. Bryant then opened the second half with the first six points as Mitchell drained his first three of the afternoon. It highlighted a 16-5 run for the Bulldogs that spanned the halves. Bryant’s lead would grow to 18, 48-30, at the under-16 media. Withers would drive to the rack for two to make it a 20-point game before Timberlake put his defender in the spin cycle for two more and a 54-37 lead at the under-12 media. Evans then sent the Chace into hysterics with five quick points to put Bryant up 61-40 and force a Maine timeout with 9:07 left. Evans sank a wing three and then finished with his left hand in transition. Maine made a push with less than seven minutes left, using an 8-0 run to make it 61-48 and force a Bryant timeout with 5:52 left. Timberlake stole the momentum though as he slithered to the rack and completed a three-point play to end the Maine run. Evans then sank his second three of the afternoon to make it 67-50 with 4:34 left. Pinzon’s first and only three of the afternoon came from deep and gave Bryant a 70-54 lead with 3:16 left. Bryant would close it out from there, setting off a raucous celebration at the Chace. Stats Bryant finished the game 32-of-63 (50.8 percent) from the field, 5-of-17 (29.4 percent) from three and 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) from the line. Bryant held a 45-25 edge on the glass and a 48-34 lead in paint scoring. Timberlake posted 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. Mitchell recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Evans finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Pinzon posted 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Withers chipped in seven points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cramer collected seven points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Game Notes Bryant claims its first-ever America East Championship. The Bulldogs have qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second time in DI progam history (2022). Bryant’s 23 victories are the most in a single season in DI program history. The Black and Gold completed a season sweep of Maine with the victory. The Black and Gold improve to 9-9 in conference tournament play the DI level. Bryant is 9-3 at home. Bryant is now 12-3 at home this season and 56-12 at home since the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Timberlake finished in double figures for the 28th time this year and the 81st time in his career. Timberlake was named Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 bpg and 2.0 spg. Evans has scored in double figures in 28 games this year and 30 games in his career. He was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 16.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 3.0 apg. Mitchell finished in double figures for the 12th time this season. He posted his seventh double-double of the year, including his second straight in the America East Tournament. Mitchell earned All-Tournament honors after finishing with 14.0 ppg and 10.7 rpg in three tournament games. Withers averaged 10.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.0 bpg and 2.7 spg in three tournament games. Pinzon finished in double figures for the 27th time this season and 56th time in his career. Up Next Bryant will learn its seed and opponent in March Madness on Sunday during the NCAA Selection Show. The show airs at 6:00 p.m. on CBS. Categories: Sports ...read more read less