SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's basketball team continues Northeast Conference play as the team hosts the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils for a 1 p.m. tip-off Sunday at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield.
THE PARTICULARS
Opponent: Central Connecticut State University
Game Time: Saturday, Jan. 6 – 1 p.m.
Watch Live: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: Bryant Bulldogs
Tickets: Purchase
Game Notes: Central Connecticut | Bryant
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
CCSU comes to Smithfield with a 1-12 overall record and a 1-1 NEC mark. The team last topped Wagner on New Year's Eve, 59-56.
Kiana Patterson is the Blue Devils' leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game, good for 10th in the NEC. Andi Lydon has been the team's leading scorer in NEC play, averaging 11.5 points versus Wagner and Mount St. Mary's last weekend.
The Blue Devils are coached by Beryl Piper, who is in her 11th season with the program. She is 136-178 all-time with the Blue Devils.
SERIES HISTORY vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series with the Blue Devils, 10-8. In Smithfield, the Black and Gold boast a 6-3 record against CCSU. The teams last met in the regular season finale last year, a game Bryant won, 70-64.
NOTHING CAN STOP ME, I'M HOLLOWAY UP
After being named to the NEC All-Rookie team last season, sophomore Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.) started up right where she left off at Brown, where she led Bryant with 19 points and nine rebounds. Holloway has earned double-doubles on five occasions this year, last versus Mount St. Mary's in a 21-point, 14-rebound performance against the Mountaineers. Holloway has also had four 20-point performances this season. The sophomore currently ranks in the top 35 nationally in free throws made (32) and free throws attempted (11).
AY NAY NAY
After a breakout season in 2016-17, junior Naomi Ashley (Hamilton, Ont.) has been a force for the Bryant Bulldogs through the early stages of the season. Ashley was a rebound shy of a double-double against Boston College, going for 12 points and nine rebounds. The highlight of Ashley's season came at Holy Cross when the red-shirt junior had 9 points, 12 rebounds and 9 steals against the Crusaders. Ashley has posted averages of 9.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals as a redshirt junior.
SCANNING THE RECORD BOOK
Freshman Hannah Scanlan (Rumson, N.J.) scored 27 points in the Northeast Conference opener vs. Wagner. The 27 points were the most-ever by a freshman in the program's Division I era.
WOMAN OF STEAL
In a two-point overtime defeat at Holy Cross, Naomi Ashley set a Bryant Division I program record for steals in a game with nine. She bested the previous best of eight set by Danielle Douglas in the 2010-2011 season. The program record belongs to Beth Connealy (now Wandyes), who had 10 in a game versus Springfield in 1995. Ashley had another big theft game vs. Rhode Island, coming away with six steals vs. the Rams in the first round of the Ocean State Tip-Off Tournament. She collected her 100th career steal in the NEC opener vs. Wagner on Dec. 29.
BJELKO BUSTS OUT
Freshman Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) played 29 minutes versus Mount St. Mary's and set career highs in points (12), rebounds (14) and assists (2), field goals (3) and made free throws (6). Against the Mountaineers, Bjelko secured her first career double-double.
EVERSON NAMED CAPTAIN
Bryant senior Kathleen Everson (Farmingville, N.Y.) was named a captain ahead of the 2017-18 season by head coach Mary Burke. Everson, a forward from Farmingville, New York, has set new career highs in points on two occasions. Versus Brown in the team's second game of the season, Everson scored 10 points against the Bears.
BRYANT ADDS TWO
Bryant University women's basketball added two future Bulldogs during the early signing period, receiving National Letters of Intent from Trinity Bravo (Bridgeport, Conn.) and Alexandra Hart (Saco, Maine).
TICKET TO RIDE
Season ticket packages are available for the 2017-18 Bryant University men's and women's basketball seasons. Fans can purchase tickets online at bryantbulldogs.com/tickets or by calling the Bryant Athletics Ticket Office at 401-319-TIXX.
FRONT ROW SEAT
Bryant University Athletics and the Northeast Conference are once again affiliated with the Pack Network and NEC Front Row, the home for all NEC men's and women's basketball broadcasts. NEC Front Row brings viewers an industry-leading video streaming solution for more than 100 Bryant University home contests during the 2017-18 athletic seasons, including live, free-of-charge, and high-definition broadcasts of all Bulldog home women's basketball games. Live event productions include multiple camera angles, an on-screen scoreboard, state-of-the-art graphics and DVR functionality. Visit NECFrontRow.com for more information and a complete schedule of events.
