NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) Alex Francis scored 20 points - 14 in the second half - and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Bryant past Central Connecticut State 79-68 Thursday night.
A pair of free throws from Terrell Allen pulled CCSU (6-16, 2-7 Northeastern Conference) within two with 8:41 remaining.
Bryant slowly pulled away over the next 6 minutes and a layup by Francis with 2:34 to play gave the Bulldogs (15-9, 7-2) a 73-64 advantage. The Blue Devils cut the deficit to five with 1:57 left, but wouldn't score again.
CCSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead about 2 minutes into the game, but Bryant scored the next nine points and never trailed again.
Dyami Starks scored 16 while Corey Maynard and Dan Garvin added 13 apiece for Bryant.
Malcolm McMillan led the Blue Devils with 16 points and Khalen Cumberlander added 15. Brandon Peel finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.
