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SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Barry Evans scored 19 points, Earl Timberlake added 17 and top-seeded Bryant cruised to the America East championship, defeating No. 3-seed Maine 77-59. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time. 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.
