December 20, 2009

Box Score

BULLDOGS FALL TO LEHIGH, 78-61, ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Despite a career-high 23 points from senior Jaime Campbell (Springfield, Mass.), the Bryant University women's basketball dropped its third straight game as the Bulldogs were defeated 78-61 by Lehigh University on Sunday afternoon at the Malcolm Chace Athletic Center.

Campbell led the way for Bryant (3-7, 1-1 NEC) with a career and game-high 23 points including going 8-10 from the field and 7-9 from the free-throw line. Campbell added eight rebounds and one assist. Sophomore Lekia Cowen (Hopedale, Mass.) added 12 points for the Dogs while junior Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) and sophomore Brittany Stahura (Amsterdam, N.Y.) each added seven boards.

With the win, Lehigh improved to 9-2 overall on the season. The well-rounded Mountain Hawk squad had four players in double figures. Senior Alex Ross scored a team-high 21 points going 7-14 from beyond the three-point arc. However, Mountain Hawk point guard Erica Prosser proved to be the difference-maker. Posser scored 18 points, recorded four assists and had seven steals. Prosser and the Mountain Hawks scored 28 points off 28 Bryant turnovers.

The Mountain Hawks jumped out to the early lead to give themselves a nine point lead just 5:30 into the game but Campbell was able to lead the Bulldogs back and bring them within one after she hit two free-throws with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The Hawks proceeded to shoot the ball well and earned themselves a five-point halftime lead. Lehigh shot 45.5 percent for the half.

Lehigh opened the second half with an 8-1 run to give the Hawks a 12-point lead just 2:30 into the second half before freshman Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) hit a long-range three-point shot. From there the Hawks cruised to the 17 point win as they created seven second-half steals and forced 11 Bulldog turnovers. 

Both Bryant (41.7) and Lehigh (43.5) shot over 40 percent in the contest. The Bulldogs were able to out-rebound the Hawks by a slim 38-34 margin and Bryant shot a season-best 73.9 percent from the charity stripe (17-23).

After the holidays, Bryant will be traveling to Miami, Fla. to participate in the 25th annual Florida International Fun & Sun Classic. Bryant will play in the tournament's opening game on Monday, Dec. 28 against host institution FIU at 5 p.m. The winner will move on to play the winner of Georgia Tech and Hampton University on Tuesday.