Bulldogs open 2014-15 season vs. Maine Friday

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FULL GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off its best year as a Division I program in 2013-14, the Bryant University women's basketball team will look to build on yet another successful season since its full transition to the top level of play when it opens the 2014-15 regular season vs. Maine, Friday night (7 p.m.) at the Chace Athletic Center.

The Bulldogs, who set multiple program records in just their second season of Division I postseason eligibility, reached the Northeast Conference tournament for the second-straight year, posting a 17-15 overall record, going 11-7 against NEC opponents. The Black and Gold set program records for Division I wins in a season (17), NEC wins in a season (11), highest finish in NEC standings (T-3rd), the first DI postseason win in Bryant basketball history, and the first appearance in a national postseason tournament in program history (WBI vs. Fairfield).

"Our expectation coming into every season is to compete for a NEC Title", said head coach Mary Burke who enters her 24th season at the helm of Bryant women's basketball program. "We have a lot of key components returning this year that are ready to compete on a daily basis and, most importantly, know what it takes to win at this level."

Highlighting Bryant's returners this season is senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey (Bloomfield, Conn.). An exemplary figure of the Bulldogs' toughness and will to win, Bailey exploded onto the NEC scene in 2013-14 posting career highs with 13.4 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 2.2 steals per game en route to an All-NEC Second Team honor, the first of her career.

Bryant's floor general led the NEC with 4.9 assists and set the Bryant Division I women's hoops program record for assists in a season (157) and free throws made and attempted (117-170) in a season. Bailey posted 10+ points in 25 of 32 games in 2013-14, including a career-high 30 points at Mount St. Mary's on Jan. 25. The Connecticut native enters the 2014-15 season with 839 career points as she looks to become just the 22nd Bryant women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

Aside from Bailey, the lone 2013-14 starter returning for the Bulldogs in 2014-15 is junior guard/forward Breanna Rucker (Cincinnati, Ohio). Rucker put together a breakout season in her own right a year ago, averaging career-highs in points (10.2 ppg), rebounds (7.9 rpg), assists (1.2 apg), steals (1.0 spg), and minutes (28.1 mpg), while posting 10 double-doubles in the process. However, Rucker will be heavily relied upon this upcoming season as the No. 2 scoring option with Bryant losing nearly 58 percent of its offense to graduation.

Another junior who is sure to see her role expand in 2014-15 is guard Tiersa Winder (Baltimore, Md.) who came on strong towards the end of last year after battling early-season injuries. Winder closed out the 2013-14 campaign with two of her best games as a Bulldog, scoring 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting from deep in the NEC Semifinals vs. Robert Morris, while putting up 14 points in the WBI first round vs. Fairfield. Winder, who averaged just under 15 minutes in 21 games a season ago will look to establish herself as a dominant scorer in her third season at Bryant.

"Despite losing four very good players to graduation, we still have a lot of experience on this roster," added Burke. "Jenniqua, Breanna, and Tiersa all understand what it takes to compete and are all capable of taking this team to the next level."

Sophomore center Morgan Olander (Mansfield, Conn.) and junior center Maureen Leahy (Springfield, Pa.) will look to fill the void left by two-time All-NEC Second Team forward/center Naana Ankoma-Mensa inside the paint for the Black and Gold.

In the backcourt, senior point guard Melissa Corraro (Shelton, Conn.), who put together a solid junior season as the back-up PG, will look to build on her role from a season ago, while junior sharpshooter Dani Anderson (Wellington, Kan.) is likely to see time on the wing, as well. Freshman wing Ivory Bailey (Wyomissing, Pa.) will also have a big role in her first season on the collegiate scene as the do-everything swing guard will be sure to create matchup problems all over the court.

"The college basketball season is very, very long," noted Burke. "And along the way there will be a lot of bumps, but our ability to rise above that adversity, because of our toughness and hard-working attitude, is what will ultimately define our success come March."

Bryant will have its chance to start things off on the right foot against a very good Black Bear team Friday night at the Chace Athletic Center. Tip is set for 7 p.m.