THE BASICS:
 
RESULT: Bryant 78, Hartford 73
RECORDS: Hartford (3-3); Bryant (1-4)
LOCATION: Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion (West Hartford, Conn.)
PHOTO GALLERY
 
THE LEAD:
 
Junior Jason Dunne poured in a career-high 36 points on Friday, but it wasn't enough for the University of Hartford men's basketball team as it dropped a narrow, 78-73 decision to visiting Bryant at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion. The Hawks trailed by as many as 14 points, but came back to make it a one-possession game down the stretch.

Dunne's career high came after an outstanding afternoon from the field. Scoring 25 of his points after halftime, the guard shot 13-of-20 from the field and drilled a career-best eight three-pointers, five of which came in the second half. J.R. Lynch added 20 points for the Hawks, while Sabastian Townes paced four Bryant players in double figures with 19 points.
 
FIRST HALF:
 
A 6-of-7 start from the field coupled with five early Hawks' miscues allowed Bryant to jump out to a quick 13-3 lead. The Bulldogs continued their string of hot shooting and went on to open up a 14-point lead at 32-18 with 7:43 to go in the half.

A 12-4 run allowed Hartford to claw back into the game. Fueled by back-to-back Dunne three-pointers, the rally pulled the Hawks within four for the first time since the opening minute with 1:42 remaining in the half. But Bryant held off the charge, as a pair Townes free throws and an Ikenna Ndugba three-pointer extended the Bulldogs' lead to 42-33 at the break.

SECOND HALF:
 
After spotting the Bulldogs three points to open the half, the Hawks made a big push and used a 14-6 rally to close the gap to three at 51-48. Dunne combined for 15 points in that spurt, but with Bryant leading, 54-50, the Bulldogs answered and took their largest lead of the half - a 14-point spread - with a 12-2 run.

The Hawks made things interesting down the stretch, though. Consecutive three-pointers from Dunne and Lynch 41 seconds apart made it a one-possession game with 2:51 remaining. With 19 seconds to go, Dunne pulled the Hawks within three at 76-73 with his eighth triple of the afternoon, but with Hartford forced to foul down the stretch, the Bulldogs sealed the win with a 2-of-4 effort from the charity stripe.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Dunne and Lynch did the bulk of the Hawks' scoring in the first half, combining for 23 of the team's 33 first-half points.
• Dunne's 36-point effort marks the most points scored by a Hartford player since Pancake Thomas had 37 against UMass Lowell on Feb. 3, 2016. His eight three-pointers are also the most since Thomas connected on eight at Vermont on Feb. 14, 2016.
• As a team, Hartford outscored Bryant, 39-15, from long range. The Hawks' 13 three-pointers were a season-best.
• The Hawks turned in a dismal performance from the free-throw line, making just 4-of-12 for 33.3 percent.
• Hartford outrebounded Bryant by a 41-34 margin led by 10 boards from senior Hassan Attia.
• After a hot start, the Bulldogs finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field (30-of-60) while Hartford finished the game shooting 43.8 percent (28-of-64).
• Turnovers were a key to the game, as the Hawks committed 19 to Bryant's 14. The Bulldogs scored 26 points off of Hartford's miscues.

 
NEXT ON TAP:
The Hawks will face their fourth opponent from the NEC on Sunday, Nov. 26, when they entertain Wagner at 2 p.m. Tickets for the game are available and can be purchased prior to tipoff at the Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office, or by clicking here.

The non-conference tilt can also be seen live on ESPN3 with Jeff Dooley and Adam Finkelstien on the call.