Earl Timberlake displays resilience in NCAA Tournament loss

Earl Timberlake showed his toughness during the NCAA Tournament as he played for Bryant against Michigan State. The senior guard, named the American East Player of the Year, faced a hard hit from Spartans center Carson Cooper. The collision left Timberlake with a bloody forehead, forcing him to leave the game briefly for treatment. Timberlake returned to the game after receiving stitches, wearing a bandage on his head. He scored 14 points, along with five assists and four rebounds, in what turned out to be his final college game. Bulldogs coach Phil Martelli Jr. praised Timberlake’s determination, calling his bloody exit a memorable moment. The incident happened while Timberlake was trying to grab a rebound. After the contact, he realized he was bleeding and focused on getting back into the game quickly. "How do I hurry up and get this thing taken care of?" Timberlake thought. He missed about four minutes before rejoining his team. Martelli was confident Timberlake would return and was not worried when he first saw him being treated. Timberlake came back with just over four minutes left in the first half and played until the end, checking out with less than three minutes on the clock. After the game, Timberlake reflected on his journey in basketball. He had previously struggled and lost his passion after playing at Miami and Memphis. He expressed gratitude to his Bryant teammates and coaches for helping him rediscover his love for the sport.