VEAZIE, Maine (Interstat) — The Bryant Bulldogs built a large first-half lead and withstood a second-half surge to defeat the Maine Black Bears 56-51 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Cross Insurance Center.

Bryant led 26-17 at halftime before Maine outscored the Bulldogs 34-30 after intermission. TJ Biel led all scorers with 20 points for Maine. Bryant’s Ashley Sims and Quincy Allen each recorded double-doubles, with Sims scoring 12 points with 10 rebounds and Allen adding 12 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Davis scored 13 points for the Bulldogs.

Bryant improved to 5-10 overall. Maine fell to 2-13. Attendance was 1,131.