SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite trialing by 14 at halftime, the Bryant University women's basketball team mounted a huge second half comeback to top Central Connecticut State, 72-65, Monday night at Detrick Gymnasium.

Fittingly enough, it was senior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa's (Brampton, Ont.) 13th double double of the season that lifted the Bulldogs (16-13, 11-7 Northeast Conference) to their third-straight win to close the year, securing the #4 overall seed and home court advantage in the Northeast Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Sunday. The Blue Devils (11-17, 5-13 NEC), however, miss the postseason for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

Ankoma-Mensa finished with 16 points and a career-tying 22 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end. Classmate Courtney Schissler (Branford, Conn.) chipped in a game-high 19 points and nine boards, while point guard Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.) added 17 points and four assists.

Senior guard Stephanie Cardamone (Freehold, N.J.) put up her third-straight double-digit scoring effort, finishing with 10 points in 33 minutes and sophomore Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio) put up four points and eight rebounds.

Central's Jessica Babe led her team with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jaleen Thomas (13 points) and Lauren Arbogast (12 points) rounded out the double-digit Blue Devil scorers.

The 20 minutes were completely dominated by the Blue Devils who looked to play spoiler with their postseason hopes already determined, jumping out to a 15-4 lead nearly seven minutes into the contest. The Bulldogs shooting woes continued through the final buzzer of the first half, as Bryant went into to locker room down, 34-20, on just 18 percent shooting from the field.

However, the second half brought new life to the Black and Gold who quickly trimmed down the double-digit deficit to just four points, 36-32, at the 16:07 mark off a Cardamone 3-pointer.

Bryant continued to fight, eventually taking the 48-45 edge on a Schissler trifecta nearly halfway through the final frame. The Bulldog edge grew as high at 10 points on multiple occasions in the final 10 minutes as Central Connecticut was just unable to regain control, eventually falling, 72-65.

The victory solidifies the #4 overall seed for the Bulldogs in the NEC Tournament, the highest-ever finish in Division I program history. Monday's win also marks the 16th overall victory and 11th NEC victory this season for Bryant, both program records at the Division I level.  

Looking forward, the Black and Gold will now play host to #5 St. Francis Brooklyn, Sunday at the Chace Athletic Center (time to be determined) in the NEC Tournament Quarterfinals.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University women's basketball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.