SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's basketball team begins the 2026-27 season on Monday, November 2nd, as they welcome MIT to the Chace Athletic Center for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.

Head coach Lynne-Ann Kokoski enters her fourth season at the helm and has accumulated a 50-42 record, including a 30-14 mark at home. The Black and Gold finished with an 18-12 record last season, falling to Binghamton in the America East Quarterfinals on a last-second buzzer-beater. This was the third consecutive season that the Bulldogs have produced 15+ wins. 

The Particulars
Opponent: MIT
Location: Smithfield, R.I. | Chace Athletic Center
Date and Time: Monday, November 2 - 5:00 PM
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | 

THE SERIES

• This is the first matchup between MIT and the Bulldogs.
• The Black and Gold are 8-8 all-time in home openers since 2009.
• Coach Kokoski is 3-0 in home openers since becoming head coach.

WHAT TO KNOW

• Captains Mia Mancini, Nia Scott, and Martina Boba return for their senior seasons. They have compiled a 50-42 record, made the postseason every year, defeated BC last season for the program's first Power 4 victory, and hosted an NIT game as sophomores.
• Scott and Mancini were named to the Preseason America East All-Conference team. Mancini became the eighth player in DI program history to reach 1,000 career points last season, while Scott enters with 708 career rebounds, ranking fifth in DI program history.
• The Black and Gold added senior transfers Cameron McNamara and Genevive Wedemeyer from Highland CC and Siena. McNamara averaged 20 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game, and recorded the third career triple-double in program history last season at Highland CC.
• Wedemeyer played in 20 games for Siena last season and totaled 182 points, 79 rebounds, 43 assists, and 23 steals.
• Olivia Fernandez returns for her junior year; last season, Fernandez appeared in 29 games and had eight multi-steal games. The Bulldogs added junior transfer Ndate Ndiaye from FIU. Ndiaye played in 25 games last season and had multiple 10+ point efforts, including a career-high 15 points against Florida National.
• Izzy Adams and Jaida Guerra return for their sophomore seasons. Adams played in 27 games and had seven 10+ point games, including a career-high 24 points and five three-pointers made against BU, earning her AE Rookie of the Week honors. Guerra played in eight games last season, converting a three-pointer in five of them. Bryant added sophomore transfer Ndeye Astou Ndiaye from FIU, who appeared in nine games last year as a freshman.
• The Black and Gold signed three freshmen (Aliyah Brame, Natalie Chisi, and Sammie Sullivan) in the offseason.

• MIT recorded a 14-12 record last season, and were 9-6 on the road.
• Sophomore Ruth Lanouette led the team in scoring last season at 13.2 points per game.
• The Beavers averaged 40.7 rebounds per game last season with a margin of +4.4.