February 04, 2010

Box Score

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DEFEATS CCSU 80-71 ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE CHACE CENTER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's basketball team took the lead just five seconds into the game and never looked back on Thursday night at the Chace Athletic Center as the Bulldogs defeated Central Connecticut 80-71. Five Bryant players recorded double digits in the contest.

Bryant (10-12, 7-4 NEC) displayed a balanced attack as five players scored in double figures the first time in the 2009-10 season. The Bulldogs were led by senior tri-captains Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, N.Y.) and Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.). Mraz tied a season-high with 17 points and added a team-high seven rebounds. Mraz was 4-5 from the field including 3-4 from 3-point range. O'Keefe added 15 points and six boards. Junior Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) recorded 12 points while senior Jaime Campbell (Springfield, Mass.) and freshman Meredith Soper (Wintrhop, Mass.) recorded 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Central Connecticut State (8-13, 5-6 NEC) was led by senior guard P.J. Wade's 15-point night while three other players added 13 points each.

The Bulldogs were actually outshot in the game by a slim margin; however, Bryant shot a season best 52.9 percent (9-17) from 3-point range. The Bulldogs also shot 80.8 percent (21-26) from the free throw line.

With the win, Bryant has won seven of its last nine and improves to 3-0 all-time against the Blue Devils.  

Seven Bulldogs scored in the first half en route to their 44-26 lead. Bennett and Mraz led the way in the first half recording 12 and nine points, respectively. Bennett was 6-8 from the floor in the half while Mraz was a perfect 3-3 from the floor including 2-2 from 3-point range.

Bryant outshot Central Connecticut 48.5 percent to 34.6 percent in the first stanza and was 5-10 from deep.

A 3-point bucket by Mraz just five seconds into action kicked off a 12-2 start for the Bulldogs just 2:02 into the game. Bryant was 5-6 from the floor including 2-2 from beyond the arc during the run.

The Bulldogs kept the pressure on the Blue Devils, holding them scoreless for over four consecutive minutes at one point in the half. During that time the Bulldogs built up a 13-point, 20-7 lead over the Devils.

Bryant continued the high-scoring affair in the first half and with a Mraz 3-point bucket with just 53 seconds left in the half to give BUa 44-23 lead, its largest of the game.

Central Connecticut State slowly battled back in the second half but could never pull closer than eight points of the Bulldogs. With 4:39 left on the clock CCSU's Kerianne Dugan hit the layup to bring her squad within eight but an O'Keefe three shortly after put Bryant back up 12, 71-59, with just over two minutes remaining.

Bryant hit 9-10 free throws in the last 1:30 to ice the game and secure the 80-71 victory.

As part of Rivalry Week in the NEC, the Bulldogs will face off against the Blue Devils once again on Saturday in New Britain, Conn. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.