Bryant beats Central Connecticut 77-69

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) Dan Garvin had 17 points and 14 rebounds, Dyami Starks scored 24 and Bryant beat Central Connecticut State 77-69 on Thursday night.

Bryant (14-14, 11-6 Northeast Conference) trailed by 11 early in the second half but erased the deficit at 8:52 when Starks tied it 55-all on a pair of free throws. CCSU (5-25, 3-14) went back in front and held the lead until Hunter Ware's 3-pointer put the Bulldogs up 64-63 at 4:11.

Ware's 3 came during a 14-1 run capped by Joe O'Shea's three-point play at 71-63 with 2:15 left.

Matt Mobley scored four straight to pull the Blue Devils to 71-67, but O'Shea answered with a layup and Bryant clinched with four free throws.

Mobley finished with 31 points, his fourth 30-point game of the season.

Ware had 16 points and O'Shea 15 as the Bulldogs earned a home game for the NEC tournament quarterfinals.