February 9, 2009

BULLDOGS CONTINUE ROAD STRUGGLES, FALL TO MONMOUTH, 67-49, MONDAY NIGHT

Boxscore

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Bryant University women's basketball team continued its road troubles against Monmouth University, again struggling to find its shot to fall to the Hawks, 67-49, at the Boylan Gym Monday night.

The Bulldogs (6-16) had trouble containing the quick offense of the Hawks (12-11, 6-6 NEC) in the opening frame, allowing the home team to jump out to an 11-5 lead after Jennifer Bender completed a 3-point play with 15:52 remaining.

Monmouth would quickly more than double-up the visiting Bulldogs, 18-7, and the scoring would continue as the Hawks went on a 14-4 over a 6:36 stretch mid-frame to make their advantage 22-9 with just over 10 minutes to play.

Monmouth kept their lead double Bryant's tally as the clock ticked under four minutes, 28-14, and while the Bulldogs made up some points at the end of the half - including holding the Hawks to a 4:15 scoreless streak - Bryant took a 36-20 deficit into the locker room at the break.

The Bulldogs shot 25.8 percent from the floor in the session with just eight field goals to the 41.2 percent shooting of the home side.

In the second half, the Bulldogs started out shooting well, hitting 62.5 percent of shots in the first 6:27 for a 52-33 tally, and Bryant continued to get strong takes for a 50 percent success rate with 7:09 remaining (57-37).

But from there, the Bulldogs couldn't make up any ground. Sophomore Lindsey Hudspeth (Mount Laurel, N.J.) hit back-to-back threes to end the game for Bryant, but it wouldn't be nearly enough as the Bulldogs walked away with a 67-49 loss.

Bryant was led by 14 points from junior Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.), who was again the only Bulldog to score in double figures. Sophomore Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) led the way on the boards, collecting six, also recording a game-high three blocks in just 10 minutes of play.

Monmouth saw four players score a double-digit tally, led by 16 points from Bender and LaKia Barber. Bender also added a game-high 10 boards for the only double-double of the contest.

Bryant shot 30.5 percent on the day after a 35.7 percent mark in the second frame. The teams were knotted on the glass, 41-41, while the Hawks shot 38.7 percent for the game.

The Bulldogs now return home to the Chace Athletic Center for two games but continue their stint against Northeast Conference opponents, hosting Central Connecticut on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. before welcoming Wagner to Smithfield, R.I. on Monday, Feb 16 at 7 p.m.