January 30, 2008

WOMEN ROLL OVER SAINT ANSELM, 77-56, WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON BACK OF 24 POINTS FROM O'KEEFE

Boxscore

SMITHFIELD, RI - Backed by a game-high 24 points from sophomore Kelsey O'Keefe, the Bryant University women's basketball team topped Saint Anselm, 77-56, at the Chace Athletic Center Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs (14-6, 9-6 Northeast-10) came out fast in their first home game since January 16, nearly doubling the Hawks (6-15, 3-13) in the opening frame to take a 34-18 advantage into the locker room at the half.

Bryant cruised to an early 11-6 lead just four minutes into the contest on the back of two Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, NY) treys and held Saint Anselm to just 10 points from the 14:22 mark through the end of the half.

But during that span, Bryant, led at the break by 10 points from sophomore Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.), went 6-for-7 from the stripe and moved its lead to 16 points. The Bulldogs shot 48 percent from the field, including a 4-of-5 clip from O'Keefe.

The second half was more of the same, as Bryant again shot close to 50 percent (47.2) for the frame, led by O'Keefe. And while Saint Anselm upped its shooting to 44 percent in the second frame, it wouldn't be enough to keep Bryant from claiming the 77-56 victory.

The Hawks struggled without their leading scorer, senior Rachel Reilly (11.5 ppg), and got a team-best 13 points from Justine Lyons. O'Keefe's 24 points were a game high, while senior captain Lynne-Ann Kokoski (Hatfield, Mass.) registered her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 assists. Her 11 helpers tie her career high.

Freshman Kelli Reynolds (Milford, Conn.) also registered career highs in points and minutes played, with nine and 10, respectively.

Bryant outrebounded the Hawks, 46-27, and went 12-for-14 on the day from the free throw line.

Bryant hits the road again this Saturday, Feb. 2 to travel to Waltham, Mass. for a rematch with Northeast-10 rival Bentley College. In their last meeting, the Bulldogs defeated the then-No. 21 Falcons, 56-55, back on Dec. 4, 2007. Tipoff is 1:30 p.m.