Mar 27, 2005
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - National finalists. A group of Bryant University basketball players just refused to see their season end until they reached the last game scheduled for the 2004-05 season: The NCAA Championship.
The greatest season in Bryant University men's basketball history may not have ended the way Bulldog supporters across New England may have wanted, but the experience of playing for a national championship will long live in the memories of this group of Bulldogs. Not only will a banner swing from the Chace Athletic Center and a trophy stand tall in the center's lobby, but these Bulldogs will always be remembered as one of the toughest teams to compete at the Elite Eight from the Northeast Region.
Despite a career-high 24 points from Chris Burns, the Bulldogs came up just short of earning their first national title, falling to Virginia Union in the NCAA Division II Championship game.
The gritty and determined Bulldogs gave the talented Panthers all they could handle for the entire game, but thanks to Virginia Union's 19 points and 11 rebounds from Antwan Walton, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player, the Panthers emerged the victors.
Early on, the Bulldogs appeared to be ready for the speed and quickness of the Panthers' defense, opening with a 3-2 lead on a Mario Correia three-point field goal and minutes later led 7-6 on a fast-break layup by Correia with 15:38 left.
Virginia Union would open a 24-18 lead with just over a minute left in the first half but another bucket in the paint from Correia and two free throws from John Williams before the end of the half helped close the gap to 24-22 at the break.
Using an aggressive trap, the Panthers were able to hold John Williams to just four first half points.
In the second half, the Panthers started to heat up from the outside. Arthur Kidd in particular came through with back-to-back three's but Burns kept things close as the sophomore guard drained a pair of three's from the top of the key to keep the score close at 37-33 with 16:28 left to play.
Two free throws by Virginia Union's Chris Moore gave the Panthers their largest lead of the game, 41-33, but Bryant would make one last run before the day was through.
Another three by Burns with just over 12 minutes left coupled with a John Williams running jumper and Mario Correia three from the left side helped knot the score at 47-47 with 10:44 left on the clock.
After a VU leaner in the lane by Duane Crocket put the Panthers back up by a basket, Correia drained a three once more to put Bryant ahead 50-49 with 9:43 left, bringing the large contingent of Bryant supporters to their feet.
Virginia Union refused to allow the Bulldogs to steal back any momentum, putting together a 9-0 run to lead 58-50 before a three from John Williams made 58-53 with 4:21 left to play.
One more three by Burns would again tie the game for the third time at 58-58 but the Bulldogs could not score in the final two minutes as the aggressive defense of Virginia Union picked up a key steal late and held on for the win.
Burns finished with a career-high six three-pointers in the game, going 6-for-10 from long range. John Williams had 12 while Correia was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 14.
Bryant, which shot 42.3 percent from the floor in the game, went to the line just four times, all in the first half. Virginia Union would go to the line 20 times in the game (making 18) with 14 attempts in the second half.
The Panthers shot 34.4 percent and made just three 3-pointers but forced Bryant into 14 turnovers.
The Bulldogs conclude the year with a school record 25 wins at 25-9 under the direction of fourth-year coach Max Good.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs achieved heights of no other NE-10 team and were the last team left playing, not just in the state of Rhode Island, but throughout New England.
