January 14, 2010

Box Score

BULLDOGS FALL TO SHARP-SHOOTING PIONEERS, 76-64

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's basketball team was defeated by defending Northeast Conference champions Sacred Heart on Thursday evening at the Chace Athletic Center by a score of 76-64. The Pioneers remain undefeated in conference play and drop the Bulldogs to 2-3 in the NEC.

Sacred Heart (12-4, 5-0 NEC) shot an outstanding 51.8 percent from the field and an even more impressive 53.8 percent from three-point range. The Bulldogs (4-11, 2-3 NEC) shot 32.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from deep in the loss.

Junior Siamone Bennett (Newburgh, N.Y.) led the way for Bryant, recording 16 points on 7-11 shooting while senior captain Kristin Mraz (Johnstown, N.Y.) scored 14 points and recorded three assists.

Sacred Heart had four of its five starters in double figures and was led by sharp-shooting Maggie Cosgrove. Cosgrove, who leads the nation in three-point shooting percentage, scored a game-high 19 points and shot an amazing 71.4 percent (5-7) from long-range.

The Pioneers used a 16-5 run to jump out to a 19-point lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first half; however, Bryant was able to chip away and reduce the margin to just 11 at the half. Sacred Heart had seven players find the basket in the first half and did exactly what they wanted to on defense by holding Kelsey O'Keefe (Warren, Mass.) to zero first-half field goals. Pioneer guard Maggie Cosgrove was 3-4 from three-point range and had a half-high 11 points. Bryant guards Lekia Cowen (Hopedale, Mass.) and Mraz led the way for the Bulldogs in the first half, recording eight points apiece.

Sacred Heart continued its hot shooting in the second-half, and with a 20-6 run they took a commanding 25-point lead and never looked back.  Preseason all-NEC guard Alisa Apo went 4-5 from the field for nine second-half points. Bryant's Bennett also went 4-5 from the field to record 10 second-half points in only 12 minutes of play.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 16 when they host Quinnipiac in another Northeast Conference matchup. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. in the Chace Athletic Center.