Bulldogs host UMass Lowell for Midday Madness Friday

Watch: NECfrontrow.com
Live Stats: bryantbulldogs.com
Follow along on Twitter: @BryantGameday

FULL GAME NOTES

ON TAP AT THE CHACE ATHLETIC CENTER

The Bryant University women's basketball will face off with long time Division II rival UMass Lowell in a Midday Madness showdown Friday morning in Smithfield, R.I. (11 a.m.). The Bulldogs have just two non-league contests remaining on their 2013-14 slate before opening Northeast Conference action on Jan. 4 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson. 

SERIES HISTORY

Friday marks the 31st all-time meeting between the two schools and the first since the 2007-08 season. Bryant currently holds a 19-11 lead in the series, winning the last five contests against the River Hawks. 

UMass and Bryant last met on Jan. 26, 2008 at the Chace Athletic Center with the Black and Gold picking up a 60-51 victory over the River Hawks.

SCOUTING THE RIVER HAWKS

In its first season as a Division I institution, UMass Lowell has struggled to earn its first win, opening the year with a 0-10 overall record, 0-1 in America East play. Last time out, the River Hawks put up a valiant effort at URI, but eventually fell, 77-70, on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Junior guard Shannon Samuels leads her team with 14.5 points and 3.1 assists, in just over 22 minutes per contest. Classmate Jasmine McRoy and freshman Nicole Hayner sit just behind Samuels, averaging 9.7 ppg and 8.7 ppg, respectively. Sophomore forward Lindsey Doucette paces the River Hawks on the glass, putting up 6.2 rebounds to go along with 6.4 ppg.

UMass averages over 73 shot attempts per game and over 34 3-point attempts, compared to just under 56 and 14, respectively, for Bryant. The River Hawks also have 11 players who have seen action in all 10 games this season and 10 who average at least 14 minutes per contest.