Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. captures America East crown behind 77-59 win over Maine
This is the first time Martelli, son of the Big 5 coaching great with the same name has qualified for the NCAA Tournament as a head coach. This will be Bryant's second time in the last three seasons.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Behind Barry Evans’ 19 points and Earl Timberlake adding 17, Bryant head coach Phil Martelli Jr. is headed to the NCAA Tournament, courtesy of a 77-59 rout of No. 3-seeded Maine in the America East championship on Saturday.
Bryant, the top-seed, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time, having made their other trip when they won the Northeast Conference in 2022. This will be Martelli’s first appearance in the tournament with the Bulldogs, joining the team two years ago, replacing former coach Jared Grasso.
Martelli Jr. will be tasked with getting Bryant past the early rounds. As a No. 16-seed in 2002, the Bulldogs lost 96-82 to fellow 16-seed Wright State in the First Four round of play-in games as part of the regional rounds in Dayton, Ohio.
Bryant led by 11 points at halftime and maintained control through the first 11 minutes of the second half, outscoring Maine, 23-13. Evans hit a 3-pointer for a 19-point lead and his layup on Bryant’s following possession made it 61-40 with nine minutes remaining.
The Bulldogs then went cold for several minutes. They had four missed shots and three turnovers before Timberlake converted a three-point play with about five minutes left and another Evans 3-pointer on the next possession made it 67-50. A 3-pointer from Connor Withers made it 75-54 with 1:23 remaining.
Evans made 8 of 11 shots, including both of his 3-point attempts, and grabbed seven rebounds. Timberlake, the America East Player of the Year, had four rebounds, five assists and four steals. He also blocked two shots.
Rafael Pinzon added 13 points and Keyshawn Mitchell 12 for Bryant (23-11).
AJ Lopez scored 20 points and Kellen Tynes had 10 for the Black Bears (20-14).
Bryant never trailed in the first half and there were only two ties, the last at 8-8. Bryant led 20-16 before Mitchell scored four points and Evans added a dunk to give the Bulldogs a 28-18 lead. Later, Timberlake hit a jumper with two seconds remaining and Bryant led 38-27 at halftime.
» READ MORE: From 2023: How the Martellis continue to make college basketball a true family affair