Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Box Score

BULLDOGS DOWNED BY CRUSADERS 57-45 IN 2009-10 HOME-OPENER ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant University women's basketball team jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but could not hold off the College of the Holy Cross as they were defeated 57-45 in the 2009-10 home-opener on Wednesday night at the Chace Athletic Center.

Two early 3-point shots by senior captain Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, N.Y.) in the first two minutes of play sparked the Bulldogs (0-2) 10-0 run. Mraz added eight rebounds, four assists and two steals to her six total points. The Bulldogs had a 12-point lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half before the Crusaders (2-1) began their run.

Over the last nine minutes of the first period, Holy Cross went on a 19-6 run to take the one point lead at the halfway mark. The Crusaders had four players score in double figures. Leading the way was Whitney Fremeau who tallied a game-high 17 points. Senior captain Bethany O'Dell, a Rhode Island native, added 15 for the purple and white.

The Crusaders hot shooting continued in the second half as they netted 41.7 percent of their shots. After going down as much as 11 in the second stanza, the Bulldogs were able to pull it back to within seven off a Katie Whittington (Twinsburg, Ohio) 3-pointer but were unable get any closer over the final 15 minutes.

The Bulldogs were led offensively by sophomore Lekia Cowen (Hopedale, Mass.) who one-upped her career-high, recorded last game at Dartmouth, by netting 12 points. Cowen was 2-3 from long range and 4-5 from the free-throw line. Junior Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) registered a double-double recording 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, 12 of which were offensive.

As a team, Bryant shot 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 27.3 percent from the field overall. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Crusaders 46-32 but had 28 turnovers resulting in 26 points for Holy Cross.

The Bryant women return to action on Saturday, Nov. 21 when the Bulldogs will play host to another Patriot League affiliate, Lafayette College. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.