NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. –– Lindsey Gamble rushed for a season-high 163 yards on 15 carries to lead the Bryant University football team to a 23-7 win over Iona College yesterday at rainy Mazzella Field. The win clinches a winning record for the Bulldogs in their first season of Division I football.

Bryant takes a 6-4 record into Saturday’s season finale at Saint Francis, Pa.

Held scoreless in the first half for only the second time this season, and with Iona leading 7-0 at the half, Bryant managed just 55 yards rushing in the first half against an Iona defense that came into the game allowing 300 yards rushing per game.

But it was a different story in the second half as quarterback Jay Graber led Bryant on a 10-play scoring drive to open the third quarter. The senior connected with senior tight end Jarrett Solimando on an 18-yard pass down to the 1-yard line. One play later, junior tailback Jerrell Smith dived into the end zone to finally put Bryant on the scoreboard. The extra point was missed.

But Chris Bird’s 30-yard field goal atoned for the missed extra point try and the Bulldogs had their first lead of the game, 9-7 with 4:24 left in the third.

The key play came early in the fourth with the Gaels driving deep into Bryant territory. With Iona facing a fourth-and-3 from the Bryant 25, Attleboro’s Don Smith pressured Warren Smith to scramble out and throw incomplete.